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Chapter 47: Problem 1

In which of the following molecules does the oxidation number represent the actual charge on each constituent atom? \(\mathrm{MgO} ; \mathrm{CO}_{2} ; \mathrm{NaF} ; \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} ; \mathrm{CCl}_{4} ; \mathrm{NiCl}_{2} .\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
The oxidation numbers represent the actual charges on each constituent atom only in the molecules \(MgO\) and \(NaF\).

Step by step solution

01

Determine Oxidation Numbers

Find oxidation numbers of every atom in the molecules given: For \(MgO\), the oxidation number for Mg is +2 and for O it is -2. For \(CO_2\), the oxidation number for carbon is +4 and for oxygen it is -2. For \(NaF\), the oxidation number for Na is +1 and for F it is -1. For \(H_2O\), the oxidation number for H is +1 and for O it is -2. For \(CCl_4\), the oxidation number for C is +4 and for Cl it is -1. For \(NiCl_2\), the oxidation number for Ni is +2 and for Cl it is -1.
02

Analyze

Analyze the molecules and check if the sum of all oxidation numbers of atoms in each molecule equals zero: In \(MgO\), +2 + -2 = 0. In \(CO_2\), +4 + 2(-2) = 0. In \(NaF\), +1 + (-1) = 0. In \(H_2O\), 2(+1) + -2 = 0. In \(CCl_4\), +4 + 4(-1) = 0. In \(NiCl_2\), +2 + 2(-1) = 0.
03

Final Step

Identify the molecules in which oxidation numbers represent the actual charge. This will be the case when the oxidation number of an atom in a molecule is equal to the charge it would have if it was an ion. Despite the fact that the sums of oxidation numbers in all molecules equal to zero, the actual charges are represented only in those molecules where atoms exist as ions (i.e., in ionic compounds). Ionic compounds are typically formed between metals and non-metals. Considering this, only in \(MgO\) and \(NaF\) the oxidation numbers represent the actual charges of the atoms.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

In every redox reaction, there is a species whose oxidation number increases when the reaction occurs. Is the species whose oxidation number increases: a) being oxidized or reduced? b) referred to as the oxidizing agent or the reducing agent?

Describe, in grammatically correct sentences, how one can determine whether or not a reaction is an oxidation-reduction reaction.
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