Question

Explain why ionic compounds are electrically neutral

Answer 1

Ionic compounds are electrically neutral overall because the total number of positive charges of the cations equals the total number of negative charges of the anions. This allows ionic compounds to maintain overall neutrality despite the presence of positive and negative ions.

Step-by-step explanation:

In every ionic compound, the total number of positive charges of the cations equals the total number of negative charges of the anions. Thus, ionic compounds are electrically neutral overall, even though they contain positive and negative ions. We can use this observation to help us write the formula of an ionic compound. The formula of an ionic compound must have a ratio of ions such that the numbers of positive and negative charges are equal.

Answer 2

Ionic compounds are electrically neutral because the positive ions and the negative ions in the compound cancel each other.

Step-by-step explanation:

Ion- It is an atom or a molecule that has an equal number of protons (subatomic particles with positive electric charge) and electrons (subatomic particles with negative electric charge).

Positive ion- This is also called a "cation." It consists of more protons than electrons.

Negative ion- This is also called an "anion." It consists of more electrons than protons.

Ionic compounds are electrically neutral because they consist of anions and cations. This neutralizes the compounds. A common example of ionic compound is the NaCl (Sodium Chloride). The Na (Sodium) atom loses an electron in order to become Na+ while the Cl (Chlorine) atom gains an electron in order to become Cl-. This interaction balances them together.