* Ionic Compounds: Cadmium fluoride (CdF2) is an ionic compound. Ionic compounds form when metals (like cadmium) lose electrons to become positively charged ions (cations) and nonmetals (like fluorine) gain electrons to become negatively charged ions (anions).
* Charge Balance: To form a stable compound, the total positive charge must equal the total negative charge.
* Ratio of Ions: Since cadmium has a +2 charge and fluoride has a -1 charge, you need two fluoride ions (-1 each) to balance the +2 charge of one cadmium ion. This results in the formula CdF2.
Think of it this way:
* Cd (+2) + F (-1) + F (-1) = 0 (neutral charge)
Therefore, CdF2 is the correct formula for cadmium fluoride because it ensures the charges are balanced.
