Final answer:
The charge on the copper ion in the compound CuF2 is 2+, making it a copper(II) ion. This charge is determined by the need to balance the two 1- charges of the fluoride ions in the compound.
Step-by-step explanation:
The charge on the copper ion in the compound CuF2 is 2+, which means it is a copper(II) ion. In CuF2, fluoride has a charge of 1- and there are two fluoride ions which total to 2-. To balance this, the copper ion must have a charge of 2+.
Understanding the charge balance within compounds is essential in chemistry. In the case of copper compounds, copper can form cations with either a 1+ charge or a 2+ charge. In CuF2, the presence of two fluorine atoms, each with a 1- charge, requires the copper to have a 2+ charge to neutralize the compound, thus, giving us the copper(II) ion.
The copper(II) ion is also known as the cupric ion, as opposed to the copper(I) ion or the cuprous ion. Compounds like CuF2 where the metal has a higher positive charge are often more stable than those where the metal has a lower charge. Hence, knowing the exact charge of the ion is crucial for understanding its chemical behavior and reactivity.