Question

What is the formula of calcium acetate?

Answer 1

Here, according to the given question we need to determine the formula of calcium acetate compound. As the name ‘calcium acetate’ indicates that it is a calcium salt of acetic acids. We determine the chemical formula of calcium acetate by using the symbol of calcium and acetic acid.

Complete answer:
Let’s understand the solution of this question in complete detail.
We know that calcium acetate is the calcium salt of acetic acids. In order to find the chemical formula of calcium acetate compound, we need to know the chemical formula of calcium and acetic acids. The chemical symbol or formula for calcium is $Ca$ whereas the chemical formula for acetic acids is $C{H_3}COOH$. But, here we need acetate ion which has the chemical formula $C{H_3}COO$.
The chemical formula of calcium acetate compound contains four oxygen atoms, four carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms and one calcium atom.
The chemical formula of calcium acetate is ${C_4}{H_6}Ca{O_4}$ or $Ca{(C{H_3}COO)_2}$ . In this formula, calcium is the cation and it has $+ 2$ charge while acetate ion has $- 1$ charge. so, two acetate ions balance one calcium ion.
We can also write the chemical formula of calcium acetate as $Ca{(OAc)_2}$ in a simplified manner, Where $OAc$ represent acetate ions.
Therefore, the chemical formula of calcium acetate is ${C_4}{H_6}Ca{O_4}$ or $Ca{(C{H_3}COO)_2}$ .

Note:
We should remember some of the properties of calcium acetate: it is a white crystalline solid with a slight odour of acetic acids. It can dissolve in water and alcohol. It is strongly hygroscopic in its anhydrous form. It has wide application in food products such as food additives, buffers, and as stabilizers.