Answer :
Final answer:
The statement is true; equal concentrations of mEq of cations and anions balance each other's charge, maintaining electrical neutrality in solutions. This is a fundamental concept in chemistry, particularly in the study of electrolytes and body fluids.
Explanation:
The statement that equal concentrations of milliequivalents (mEq) of cations balance the charge of an equal concentration in mEq of anions is true. For instance, if you have a 1 mol/L solution of sodium chloride (NaCl), you have 1 mol/L of Na+ ions and 1 mol/L of Cl- ions. Since sodium has a 1+ charge, it contributes 1 Eq/L of positive charge, and since chloride has a 1- charge, it contributes 1 Eq/L of negative charge. Therefore, the solution remains electrically neutral as the total positive charge is balanced by the total negative charge.
In more complex solutions, such as a 1 mol/L solution of calcium chloride (CaCl2), the calcium contributes 2 Eq/L of positive charge due to its 2+ charge, while each chloride contributes 1 Eq/L of negative charge, but since there are two chloride ions for every calcium ion, the total negative charge is also 2 Eq/L, and the charge balance is maintained. This principle of charge balance applies to all neutral solutions and is crucial for the stability of cellular and bodily fluids, where the concentrations of various ions must be maintained within specific ranges to prevent stress on the cells.
