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Is calcium hydroxide covalent or ionic?

User LacOniC
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Final answer:

Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) is an ionic compound formed from calcium ions and hydroxide ions. Its dissociation in water into these ions confirms its ionic nature.

Step-by-step explanation:

Calcium hydroxide, with the chemical formula Ca(OH)2, is an ionic compound. This is due to the combination of calcium ions (Ca2+) and hydroxide ions (OH−) that form the compound. When calcium hydroxide dissolves in water, it dissociates into its constituent ions, exhibiting the behavior of an ionic compound.

The bonding between the calcium ions (Ca2+) and hydroxide ions (OH−) reflects the ionic nature of this compound, as calcium has a low electronegativity and thus tends to lose electrons to form positive ions, rather than sharing electrons as in covalent bonding.

Calcium hydroxide is an ionic compound. It consists of Ca2+ ions and OH- ions. When an ionic compound dissolves, it separates into its constituent ions. Calcium hydroxide is relatively insoluble in water, but its solutions are basic.

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