what is the oxidation state of each element in coh2? c o h what is the oxidation state of each element in febr3? fe br
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
To determine the oxidation states of each element in ( \text{COH}_2 ) and ( \text{FeBr}_3 ), let’s go through the process step by step for each compound.
1. Oxidation States in ( \text{COH}_2 ):
This is a molecular compound containing carbon (C), oxygen (O), and hydrogen (H).
- Hydrogen (H): In most compounds, hydrogen has an oxidation state of +1. Since there are two hydrogen atoms in ( \text{COH}_2 ), the total oxidation state of hydrogen is ( 2 \times (+1) = +2 ).
- Oxygen (O): Oxygen typically has an oxidation state of -2 in most compounds, including this one.
- Carbon (C): The oxidation state of carbon is what we need to determine.
Now, let’s balance the total oxidation state of the molecule. The sum of all oxidation states in a neutral molecule must equal 0.
Let the oxidation state of carbon be ( x ).
The equation for the sum of oxidation states is:
[
x + (-2) + 2(+1) = 0
]
Simplifying:
[
x – 2 + 2 = 0 \quad \Rightarrow \quad x = 0
]
So, the oxidation states are:
- C: 0
- O: -2
- H: +1 (for each hydrogen atom)
2. Oxidation States in ( \text{FeBr}_3 ):
This is an ionic compound consisting of iron (Fe) and bromine (Br).
- Bromine (Br): Bromine is a halogen and typically has an oxidation state of -1 in its compounds, such as ( \text{FeBr}_3 ). Since there are three bromine atoms, the total oxidation state of bromine is ( 3 \times (-1) = -3 ).
- Iron (Fe): The oxidation state of iron can be determined by considering the total charge of the molecule. ( \text{FeBr}_3 ) is neutral, so the oxidation state of iron must balance the -3 from the bromine atoms.
Let the oxidation state of iron be ( x ).
The equation for the sum of oxidation states is:
[
x + 3(-1) = 0
]
Simplifying:
[
x – 3 = 0 \quad \Rightarrow \quad x = +3
]
So, the oxidation states are:
- Fe: +3
- Br: -1 (for each bromine atom)
Summary:
- In ( \text{COH}_2 ):
- C: 0
- O: -2
- H: +1 (for each hydrogen atom)
- In ( \text{FeBr}_3 ):
- Fe: +3
- Br: -1 (for each bromine atom)
In general, the oxidation state of an element in a compound reflects how electrons are distributed between the atoms involved. The sum of oxidation states in a neutral compound is zero, which we used to determine the unknown oxidation states.