Question

Write the balanced chemical equation for the decomposition of calcium fluoride into the constituent elements (solid calcium and gas fluorine), and indicate the coefficient for calcium.

a) CaF2→Ca+F2 (Coefficient for Calcium = 1)
b) CaF2→2Ca+F2 (Coefficient for Calcium = 2)
c) 2CaF2→Ca+2F2 (Coefficient for Calcium = 1)
d) 2CaF2→2Ca+2F2 (Coefficient for Calcium = 2)

Answer 1

The balanced chemical equation for the decomposition of calcium fluoride into the constituent elements is CaF2 → Ca + F2, with the correct coefficient for calcium being 1.

Step-by-step explanation:

The balanced chemical equation for the decomposition of calcium fluoride (CaF2) into the constituent elements is:

• CaF2 → Ca + F2

The correct coefficient for calcium is 1, as shown by the decomposition reaction, therefore the correct answer is:

a) CaF2 → Ca + F2 (Coefficient for Calcium = 1)

In a balanced chemical equation, the number of atoms for each element must be the same on both the reactant and product sides. Since one molecule of CaF2 contains one calcium atom and two fluorine atoms, the correct balanced equation is CaF2 → Ca + F2. This shows that only one atom of calcium is produced, which confirms that the coefficient for calcium is 1.