Final answer:
The chemical formula for aluminum chloride, created by combining aluminum ions (3+ charge) with chloride ions (1- charge), is AlCl3 to ensure electrical neutrality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chemical formula for the ionic compound aluminum chloride, which is formed between aluminum ions (Al3+) and chloride ions (Cl-), can be determined by ensuring the total positive and negative charges in the compound are balanced. Aluminum ions have a 3+ charge, while chloride ions have a 1- charge.
To achieve electrical neutrality, one aluminum ion can balance with three chloride ions, giving the formula AlCl3. In this formula, we have a 3+ total charge from aluminum balanced by a 3- total charge from the three chloride ions (1- charge each).