| Within that crystalline network of ions, the ratio of
cations to anions remains constant. That ratio depends solely on the charges of the
cations and anions. The ratio of the number of cations to anions will be just opposite
the ratio of charges on the ions, so that the amount of positive and negative charge is
equalized. Because the ratio of ions is fixed, ionic bonding results in the formation of compounds,
which have fixed composition. |
| Ions |
Ca2+ |
with |
Cl-
Cl- |
Charge
Ratio |
2 |
to |
1 |
Ion
Ratio |
1 |
to |
2 |
| Formula |
CaCl2 |
|
