Question

What it metal cation, including charge, from the compound `CuCl_2`?

Answer 1

The `Cu^(2+)` ion

Explanation:

`CuCl_2` is an ionic compound composed of the metal cation `Cu^(2+)` and 2 `Cl^(_)` anions. The best way to identify the charge is to to use the Periodic table .

As transition metal charges can differ it is better to refer to something which is known- like the fact that Halogens (or group 17 elements) commonly form anions with -1 charge. In this case, we have to Chloride ions, and as we know that Chlorine is a halogen we can identify the corresponding charge. Hence we can conclude that the other ion must be 2+ in charge as the compound is overall uncharged.