* Calcium (Ca): Calcium is a metal in group 2 of the periodic table. It has a +2 charge when it forms an ion (Ca²⁺).
* Phosphate (PO₄³⁻): Phosphate is a polyatomic ion with a -3 charge.
* Balancing charges: To achieve electroneutrality, the total positive charge must equal the total negative charge.
* To balance the charges, we need three calcium ions (3 x +2 = +6) and two phosphate ions (2 x -3 = -6).
* Compound Formation: This results in the chemical formula Ca₃(PO₄)₂, where the subscript numbers indicate the number of each ion in the compound.
In summary:
* The +2 charge of calcium and the -3 charge of phosphate are balanced in the compound Ca₃(PO₄)₂.
* Three calcium ions (+6 total charge) are combined with two phosphate ions (-6 total charge), resulting in a net charge of zero and achieving electroneutrality.
