Final answer:
The question pertains to the naming of chemical compounds using the correct oxidation states of the included elements. Examples such as copper(II) sulfate and iron(II) chloride demonstrate the necessity of indicating the oxidation states in compound names for appropriate chemical identification and understanding.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question is related to the composition of different chemical compounds, which includes various elements and their specific oxidation states. Understanding how to correctly name chemical compounds is a crucial aspect of chemistry education. For example, copper(II) sulfate or cupric sulfate indicates that copper has an oxidation state of +2, whereas iron(II) chloride or ferrous chloride indicates that iron has an oxidation state of +2. Similarly, compounds such as nickel(II) hydroxide reflect the fact that nickel is in the +2 oxidation state in this compound.
It is important to know the correct chemical formulas for compounds and the corresponding oxidation states, especially when performing experimental work or when interpreting the results of chemical reactions. The nomenclature used such as copper(I), copper(II), iron(III), or nickel(II) informs us about the specific ionic form in which these metals are present in the compounds.