Final answer:
Three calcium atoms are needed to achieve an overall charge of +6, as each calcium atom contributes a +2 charge when it forms a cation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine how many atoms of calcium are needed to get a charge of +6, one must understand the charge that each calcium atom possesses. Calcium, with the symbol Ca, is an alkaline earth metal found in Group 2 of the periodic table. Each calcium atom has a +2 charge when it loses two electrons to form a cation, which is its typical ion form in chemical reactions.
To achieve an overall charge of +6, we need to add the charges of multiple calcium atoms together. Since each calcium atom can contribute a +2 charge, we would need:
- First calcium atom: +2
- Second calcium atom: +2
- Third calcium atom: +2
Adding these together (+2 + +2 + +2) gives us the desired +6 charge. Therefore, three calcium atoms would be needed to result in a +6 charge.