When we think of a rusty ship as seen here, what oxidation state would we assign to the original reactant of oxygen in the representative chemical equation? Fe (s) + O2 (g) → Fe2O3 (s) (1 point) Responses Negative two because oxygen always had an oxidation like its ion. Negative two because oxygen always had an oxidation like its ion. Zero because it is a molecular element. Zero because it is a molecular element. Zero because that is the charge on the ion. Zero because that is the charge on the ion. Positive one because that is the oxidation state when it bonds to fluorine.
1 answer
In the given reaction, the original reactant of oxygen is O2 (g). In its molecular form (O2), each oxygen atom has an oxidation state of zero because it is a diatomic molecule and not ionized. Therefore, the correct response is:
Zero because it is a molecular element.
