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!
2 answers
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.
1 answer