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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for iron(III) fluoride?
A
FeF2
B
FeF3
C
Fe3F2
D
Fe3F
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the oxidation state of iron in iron(III) fluoride. The Roman numeral III indicates that iron has a +3 charge, so Fe is Fe^{3+}.
Determine the charge on the fluoride ion. Fluoride (F) is a halide ion with a charge of -1, so F is F^{-}.
Balance the total positive and negative charges to form a neutral compound. Since Fe^{3+} has a +3 charge and F^{-} has a -1 charge, you need three fluoride ions to balance one iron ion.
Write the chemical formula by combining one Fe^{3+} ion with three F^{-} ions, resulting in FeF_3.
Verify that the formula FeF_3 is electrically neutral by confirming that the total positive charge (+3) equals the total negative charge (3 × -1 = -3).