Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for copper(II) oxide?
A
CuO
B
Cu_2O_2
C
Cu_2O
D
CuO_2
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the oxidation state of copper in copper(II) oxide. The Roman numeral II indicates that copper has a +2 charge, written as Cu^{2+}.
Determine the charge of the oxide ion. Oxygen typically forms an oxide ion with a -2 charge, written as O^{2-}.
Combine the ions in a ratio that results in a neutral compound. Since Cu^{2+} and O^{2-} have charges of equal magnitude but opposite sign, they combine in a 1:1 ratio.
Write the chemical formula by placing the symbols of copper and oxygen together with their respective subscripts indicating the number of atoms. Because the charges balance one-to-one, the formula is CuO.
Verify that the formula CuO is electrically neutral by confirming that the total positive charge (+2 from Cu) balances the total negative charge (-2 from O).