Answer :
When calcium (Ca) reacts with fluorine (F₂) in a synthesis reaction, they form an inorganic compound. Let's go through the process step by step.
1. Definition of Synthesis Reaction:
A synthesis reaction occurs when two or more reactants combine to form a single product. In this case, we are reacting calcium with fluorine.
2. Understanding the Elements Involved:
- Calcium (Ca) is a metal located in Group 2 of the periodic table, making it an alkaline earth metal.
- Fluorine (F₂) is a nonmetal located in Group 17 of the periodic table, consisting of diatomic molecules.
3. Formation of Calcium Fluoride:
When calcium reacts with fluorine, they form an ionic compound. Calcium, having two valence electrons, tends to lose these two electrons to achieve a stable electronic configuration (like the nearest noble gas, Argon). This forms a Ca²⁺ ion.
Fluorine, with seven valence electrons, tends to gain one electron to complete its valence shell, forming F⁻ ions. Since fluoride ions are diatomic (F₂), two fluoride ions will each gain one electron to balance the two electrons lost by the calcium ion.
4. Chemical Equation:
The chemical reaction can be represented as:
[tex]\[
\text{Ca} + \text{F}_2 \rightarrow \text{CaF}_2
\][/tex]
Here, one calcium atom reacts with one molecule of fluorine gas (composed of two fluorine atoms) to form one formula unit of calcium fluoride (CaF₂).
5. Balancing the Equation:
- On the reactants side, we have 1 calcium atom and 2 fluorine atoms.
- On the products side, we form CaF₂, which contains 1 calcium atom and 2 fluorine atoms.
The equation is already balanced as each side has 1 calcium atom and 2 fluorine atoms.
From these steps, we can conclude that the product of the synthesis reaction between calcium and fluorine is calcium fluoride, with the chemical formula:
[tex]\[
\text{CaF}_2
\][/tex]
So, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[
\boxed{\text{CaF}_2}
\][/tex]
1. Definition of Synthesis Reaction:
A synthesis reaction occurs when two or more reactants combine to form a single product. In this case, we are reacting calcium with fluorine.
2. Understanding the Elements Involved:
- Calcium (Ca) is a metal located in Group 2 of the periodic table, making it an alkaline earth metal.
- Fluorine (F₂) is a nonmetal located in Group 17 of the periodic table, consisting of diatomic molecules.
3. Formation of Calcium Fluoride:
When calcium reacts with fluorine, they form an ionic compound. Calcium, having two valence electrons, tends to lose these two electrons to achieve a stable electronic configuration (like the nearest noble gas, Argon). This forms a Ca²⁺ ion.
Fluorine, with seven valence electrons, tends to gain one electron to complete its valence shell, forming F⁻ ions. Since fluoride ions are diatomic (F₂), two fluoride ions will each gain one electron to balance the two electrons lost by the calcium ion.
4. Chemical Equation:
The chemical reaction can be represented as:
[tex]\[
\text{Ca} + \text{F}_2 \rightarrow \text{CaF}_2
\][/tex]
Here, one calcium atom reacts with one molecule of fluorine gas (composed of two fluorine atoms) to form one formula unit of calcium fluoride (CaF₂).
5. Balancing the Equation:
- On the reactants side, we have 1 calcium atom and 2 fluorine atoms.
- On the products side, we form CaF₂, which contains 1 calcium atom and 2 fluorine atoms.
The equation is already balanced as each side has 1 calcium atom and 2 fluorine atoms.
From these steps, we can conclude that the product of the synthesis reaction between calcium and fluorine is calcium fluoride, with the chemical formula:
[tex]\[
\text{CaF}_2
\][/tex]
So, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[
\boxed{\text{CaF}_2}
\][/tex]
