I have to write a balanced equation for the dissociation of these compounds:?

Question

cacl2--> MY ANSWER(CA+2CL)
alcl3---> MY ANSWER(al+3cl)
how do I write balanced EQ for dissociation are they different than normal blaancing?

Answer 1

These are ionic compounds. When they dissociate, they do not form neutral atoms. Rather, they form ions. Ions are just atoms that have too many or too few electrons.

CaCl2 --> Ca(2+) + 2 Cl(-)
AlCl3 --> Al(3+) + 3 Cl(-)

where (-) means an extra electron, (2+) means it's missing two electrons, and (+3) means it's missing three electrons.

So, you not only have to balance the number of atoms, but you have to keep track of which atoms lose electrons, and which gain them.