Question

Assign the oxidation state for all the atoms:

As2O3

Show work

Answer 1

Answer: Oxidation state of Arsenic in the given compound is +3 and that of oxygen is -2.

Step-by-step explanation:

We are given a compound having formula
`As_2O_3` and we need to find the oxidation state of all the atoms in this compound. There are 2 different atoms present in this : Arsenic and Oxygen

Oxidation state is the number which is assigned to an element in a compound which represents the number of electrons lost or gained by an atom in a compound.

Oxidation state of oxygen as -2 which is same always. Now, to calculate the oxidation state of Arsenic, we take the oxidation state of it be 'x'

As, there are two arsenic atoms and three oxygen atoms, then:

`\Rightarrow 2(x)+3(-2)=0\\\Rightarrow 2x-6=0\\\Rightarrow x=+3`

Hence, oxidation state of Arsenic in the given compound is +3 and that of oxygen is -2.