Question

the formula for the ionic compound formed between calcium ions and chloride ions is cacl₂. what does this formula tell you about the compound? each molecule of cacl₂ has one calcium ion and two chloride ions. each calcium ion in the compound has exactly two chloride ions bonded to it. calcium and chloride ions exist in a 1:2 ratio in a crystal of cacl₂. all of these are true.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first option: Ionic compounds like \(CaCl_2\) do not exist as molecules (they are ionic lattices), so this statement is false.
2. Analyze the second option: In an ionic lattice, there isn't a fixed number of ions bonded to one ion in the way described (it's a repeating lattice, not a fixed small - number bond), so this is false.
3. Analyze the third option: The formula \(CaCl_2\) indicates that in the crystal lattice (the ionic solid structure), the ratio of calcium ions (\(Ca^{2 +}\)) to chloride ions (\(Cl^-\)) is \(1:2\). This is a key piece of information that the formula conveys about the ionic compound's composition in the solid state.
4. Analyze the fourth option: Since the first two statements are false, "All of these are true" is also false.

Answer:

C. Calcium and chloride ions exist in a 1:2 ratio in a crystal of \(CaCl_2\)