By definition, barium and chlorine combine in a 1: 2 ratio (BaCl₂) since 1 Ba ion and 2 Cl ions are required to form the compound.
An ionic bond is produced between metallic and non-metallic atoms, where electrons are completely transferred from one atom to another. During this process, one atom loses electrons and another one gains them, forming ions. Usually, the metal gives up its electrons forming a cation to the nonmetal element, which forms an anion.
Barium(Ba) is a metal and Chlorine(Cl) is a non-metal. So these elements form an ionic compound.
Barium has +2 charge and Chlorine has -1 charge.
When Barium Chloride is formed, it should be a neutral compound, this is net charge should be zero.
So, for the neutralization of charges of the ions and form a stable compound, the +2 charge of barium requires 2 Cl atoms.
This is, the net charge can be calculated as: +2 + 2×(-1)= 0.
Then, you get the formula of Barium chloride, that is BaCl₂.
Finally, barium and chlorine combine in a 1: 2 ratio (BaCl₂) since 1 Ba ion and 2 Cl ions are required to form the compound.
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