Question

How many chloride ions would combine with an `Al^(3+)` ion to form aluminum chloride?

Answer 1

3

Explanation:

Al has a charge of +3. Cl has a charge of -1. Hence 3 chloride ions are required to neutralize charge of +3 on aluminium and the compound formed is `AlCl_3`.

Answer 2

Three chloride ions are required to bond with one aluminum ion.

Explanation:

Chloride ions have a `1^-` charge with the formula `"Cl"^(-)"`. Aluminum ions have a `3^(+)"` charge with the formula `"Al"^(3+)"`.

An ionic compound must be neutral, which means the positive and negative charges must be equal. So we need three chloride ions to bond with one aluminum ion, and the formula for aluminum chloride is `"AlCl"_3"`.