What is the formula of Calcium Hydroxide?

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Multiple Choice

What is the formula of Calcium Hydroxide?

Explanation:
Balancing charges in ionic compounds is what this question tests. Calcium forms a Ca2+ ion, while hydroxide is OH−. To make a neutral compound, you need two OH− ions for every Ca2+, giving the simplest whole-number ratio Ca(OH)2. The parentheses indicate there are two hydroxide groups attached to the calcium. The other options don’t reflect the proper charge balance or standard naming: CaOH2 isn’t the conventional way to show the two hydroxide groups with calcium’s +2 charge; Ca2(OH)2 isn’t the typical formula notation for this compound, and Ca(OH)3 would imply three hydroxide ions balancing to a +2 charge, which isn’t correct for calcium.

Balancing charges in ionic compounds is what this question tests. Calcium forms a Ca2+ ion, while hydroxide is OH−. To make a neutral compound, you need two OH− ions for every Ca2+, giving the simplest whole-number ratio Ca(OH)2. The parentheses indicate there are two hydroxide groups attached to the calcium.

The other options don’t reflect the proper charge balance or standard naming: CaOH2 isn’t the conventional way to show the two hydroxide groups with calcium’s +2 charge; Ca2(OH)2 isn’t the typical formula notation for this compound, and Ca(OH)3 would imply three hydroxide ions balancing to a +2 charge, which isn’t correct for calcium.

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