What is the oxidation state of Cr in each compound? a. CrO

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Identify the oxidation state of oxygen (O), which is typically -2 in compounds.

Let the oxidation state of chromium (Cr) be x.

Set up the equation for the compound CrO: x + (-2) = 0, since the compound is neutral.

Solve the equation for x to find the oxidation state of Cr.

Verify that the sum of the oxidation states equals the overall charge of the compound, which is zero for neutral compounds.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Oxidation State

The oxidation state, or oxidation number, is a value that represents the total number of electrons an atom either gains or loses when it forms a compound. It helps in understanding the electron transfer in redox reactions and is crucial for determining the reactivity and stability of compounds.

Rules for Assigning Oxidation States

There are specific rules for assigning oxidation states, such as the oxidation state of an element in its elemental form is zero, and the sum of oxidation states in a neutral compound must equal zero. For example, in compounds with oxygen, oxygen typically has an oxidation state of -2, which is essential for calculating the oxidation state of other elements in the compound.

Chromium Compounds

Chromium can exhibit multiple oxidation states, commonly +2, +3, and +6. In the compound CrO, understanding the oxidation state of oxygen as -2 allows us to deduce the oxidation state of chromium, which is +2 in this case, highlighting the versatility of chromium in different chemical environments.

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