When calcium reacts with nitrogen gas, we need to balance the charges to form a stable compound. Here are the steps to determine the correct chemical formula:
1. Determine the charges of the ions:
- Calcium (Ca) typically forms a +2 ion, [tex]\( Ca^{2+} \)[/tex].
- Nitrogen (N) typically forms a -3 ion, [tex]\( N^{3-} \)[/tex].
2. Balance the charges:
- To balance the charges, the total positive charge must equal the total negative charge.
- We need to find the smallest number of each ion that results in the combination having a net charge of zero.
3. Calculate the correct ratio:
- If we have three calcium ions ([tex]\( 3 \times +2 = +6 \)[/tex]), and two nitrogen ions ([tex]\( 2 \times -3 = -6 \)[/tex]), the charges will balance out since [tex]\( +6 + (-6) = 0 \)[/tex].
4. Write the formula:
- Combining these ions in a way that the charges are balanced gives us the formula [tex]\( Ca_3N_2 \)[/tex].
- This is because three [tex]\( Ca^{2+} \)[/tex] ions and two [tex]\( N^{3-} \)[/tex] ions combine in the ratio that their charges sum to zero.
Therefore, the product formed when calcium reacts with nitrogen gas is [tex]\( Ca_3N_2 \)[/tex].
So, the correct answer is:
C. [tex]\( Ca_3N_2 \)[/tex]
