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What is the oxidation state of Cl in HClO4?  A. +8  B. –1  C. –3  D. +7

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The oxidation state of Cl in HClO₄ is +7(Option D). In HClO₄, hydrogen has an oxidation state of +1, and oxygen has an oxidation state of -2. By setting up an equation and solving for Cl, we find that its oxidation state is +7.

The oxidation state of an element is a measure of the number of electrons it has gained or lost in a compound. To determine the oxidation state of chlorine (Cl) in HClO₄, we can follow these steps:

1. Identify the oxidation state of hydrogen (H) in the compound. Hydrogen usually has an oxidation state of +1 in compounds.

2. Oxygen (O) is more electronegative than hydrogen and typically has an oxidation state of -2 in compounds, except when it is combined with fluorine (F) or in peroxides (like H₂O₂).

3. Since the compound is HClO₄, we can set up the equation:

(+1) + Cl + 4(-2) = 0

4. Solving the equation, we get:

+1 + Cl - 8 = 0

Cl - 7 = 0

Cl = +7

Therefore, the oxidation state of chlorine (Cl) in HClO₄ is +7.

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