What is the correct formula unit when calcium is combined with nitrogen

Subject : Chemistry

Question: What is the correct formula unit when calcium is combined with nitrogen?

Expert Verified Solution:

What is the correct formula unit when calcium is combined with nitrogen?

When combining calcium with nitrogen, the correct formula unit is Ca3N2. This formula represents the compound calcium nitride, which is formed through the ionic bonding between calcium (Ca) and nitrogen (N).

To understand this, let’s break it down:

Calcium (Ca) is an alkaline earth metal found in Group 2 of the periodic table. It has two valence electrons, which it tends to lose to achieve a stable electron configuration. As a result, calcium forms a +2 cation (Ca²⁺).

Nitrogen (N) is a non-metal found in Group 15 of the periodic table. It has five valence electrons and needs three additional electrons to complete its octet, resulting in a -3 anion (N³⁻).

In the ionic compound formation, the total positive charge from the calcium cations must balance out the total negative charge from the nitrogen anions. Since each calcium ion has a +2 charge and each nitrogen ion has a -3 charge, the formula unit Ca3N2 is required to achieve electrical neutrality. This means three calcium ions (3 × +2 = +6) balance with two nitrogen ions (2 × -3 = -6), creating a stable ionic compound.

Thus, What is the correct formula unit when calcium is combined with nitrogen? The answer is Ca3N2, which accurately represents the ionic bonding between calcium and nitrogen to form calcium nitride.