Please help me verify the following question:
Consider the following ion; XF2-2
What is the oxidation number assigned to element “X”? Show your work
My answer:
X F2-2
X -1(-1)
X -3=0
X = +3
Please let me know if right. Many thanks!
Nope. If X = 3, then XF2^2- would be +3 for X, -2 for two F, so the charge would be +1. Try X = 0. Each F is -1 for a total F of -2. Then 0 for X + (-2) for F leaves a charge of -2 on the ion which it has.
Having it explained that way makes it easier to understand and helps to verify answer in the end which my course didn't explain. Thank you.
Your answer is incorrect. Let's verify it step by step together:
1. Start by assigning the oxidation number of fluorine (F). Fluorine is in Group 7A, which means it has an oxidation number of -1.
2. The overall charge of the ion is -2, so the sum of the oxidation numbers of all the atoms in the ion must equal -2.
3. Since there are two fluorine atoms (F2), their total oxidation number will be -1 x 2 = -2.
4. Let's denote the oxidation number of element "X" as x. The equation for the sum of oxidation numbers will be:
x + (-2) = -2
5. Simplify the equation:
x - 2 = -2
6. Add 2 to both sides of the equation:
x = 0
Based on the calculation, the oxidation number assigned to element "X" in the ion XF2-2 is 0.
To verify the oxidation number assigned to element "X" in the ion XF2-2, let's go through the process step by step:
1. Determine the known oxidation number of the other element in the compound. In this case, the known oxidation number of fluorine (F) is -1.
2. We know that the net charge of the ion XF2-2 is -2 because of the superscript. So, we can set up an equation:
(oxidation number of X) + 2(-1) = -2
3. Simplify the equation by removing the parentheses:
(oxidation number of X) - 2 = -2
4. Add 2 to both sides of the equation to isolate the oxidation number of X:
(oxidation number of X) - 2 + 2 = -2 + 2
(oxidation number of X) = 0
Based on our calculations, the oxidation number of element "X" in the ion XF2-2 is 0, not +3 as you have suggested.
Therefore, your answer of X = +3 is incorrect.