Is Calcium Carbide Ionic or Covalent Compound?

Question: What type of compound is calcium carbide, ionic or covalent? Final Answer: Calcium carbide is an ionic compound formed by the transfer of electrons from calcium to carbide ions.

Explanation:

Calcium carbide is an ionic compound. Ionic compounds are formed when a metal reacts with a nonmetal. In the case of calcium carbide, calcium (Ca) is a metal, while carbide (C2) is a nonmetal. The chemical formula for calcium carbide is CaC2.

Calcium carbide is formed by the transfer of electrons from the calcium atom to the carbide ion. This results in the formation of calcium ions (Ca2+) and carbide ions (C2-). The ratio of calcium to carbide atoms in the formula is 1:2, indicating that there is one calcium atom for every two carbide ions.

Examples of other ionic compounds include sodium chloride (NaCl) and magnesium oxide (MgO). In contrast, covalent compounds are formed when nonmetal atoms share electrons. Examples of covalent compounds include carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4).

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