What is the net charge of the ionic compound barium iodide (BaI₂)?

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Question

What are the individual ion charges that make up barium iodide (BaI₂)?

Answer

The barium ion is Ba²⁺ (charge +2). Each iodide ion is I⁻ (charge -1).

Question

What is the fundamental rule about the net charge of any stable, standalone ionic compound?

Answer

The net charge must be zero. Ionic compounds are electrically neutral.

Question

How does the subscript "2" in BaI₂ relate to the charge of the Ba²⁺ ion?

Answer

The subscript indicates that two I⁻ ions (total charge -2) are needed to balance the +2 charge of one Ba²⁺ ion, achieving neutrality.

Question

If an ionic compound had a net charge of +1, what would it be classified as instead?

Answer

It would be classified as a polyatomic ion (a charged molecule), not a neutral ionic compound.

Question

Calculate the total positive and negative charge in one formula unit of BaI₂ to prove its neutrality.

Answer

Positive: 1 Ba²⁺ = +2. Negative: 2 I⁻ = 2 * (-1) = -2. Sum: (+2) + (-2) = 0.

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Does the formula BaI₂ imply the compound has a net negative charge?

The net charge of barium iodide (BaI₂) is 0.