Question

Explain why the Rule of Zero charge must be followed to form an ionic compound?

Answer 1

because ionic compounds involves transferring of electrons which means ions will form bonds that will neutralize both positive and negative charges of individual ions to form a more stable neutral ionic compound.

Answer 2

Overall the ionic compound cannot be charged, so all charges of the ions must be balanced. This means if you know the charge of 1 ion (E.G. Ca2+ ion) and you know the charge of the other ion (E.G. Cl1-) then you can work out that to make the overall charge 0, there must be double the amount of chlorine ions than calcium ions present. From this, you can work out the formula must be CaCl2.