Question

Explain why the ratio of ions is 3:2 in terms of ionic charges

Answer 1

Answer:

Ionic compounds exist as alternating positive and negative ions in regular, three-dimensional arrays called crystals (Figure  3.3.1 ). As you can see, there are no individual NaCl “particles” in the array; instead, there is a continuous lattice of alternating sodium and chloride ions. However, we can use the ratio of sodium ions to chloride ions, expressed in the lowest possible whole numbers, as a way of describing the compound. In the case of sodium chloride, the ratio of sodium ions to chloride ions, expressed in lowest whole numbers, is 1:1, so we use NaCl (one Na symbol and one Cl symbol) to represent the compound. Thus, NaCl is the chemical formula for sodium chloride, which is a concise way of describing the relative number of different ions in the compound. A macroscopic sample is composed of myriads of NaCl pairs; each pair called a formula unit. Although it is convenient to think that NaCl crystals are composed of individual NaCl units, Figure  3.3.1  shows that no single ion is exclusively associated with any other single ion. Each ion is surrounded by ions of opposite charge.

Answer 2

If the given ratio of ions is 3:2 in terms of ionic charges then the formula of the compound must be a factor of  $X_{3} Y_{2}$  ( simplest ratio )

A chemical formula is a short enumeration of the components of a compound, as well as their proportions.

• The loss or gain of valence electrons required to establish stable, noble gas electronic configurations determines the charge on the cations and anions in an ionic molecule.
• The simplest ratio of whole integers that may be mixed to achieve electrical neutrality is the amount of cations and anions in an ionic molecule.
• In both textual and formula form, the cation comes before the anion.
• The cation-anion radius ratio (also known as the radius ratio rule) is the ratio of the cation's ionic radius to the anion's ionic radius in a cation-anion complex in condensed matter physics and inorganic chemistry.