Question

An unknown metal with a charge of 4 combines with oxygen. How many oxygen ionsare needed in a neutral compound of this metal and oxygen?

Answer 1

2 oxygen ions

Step-by-step explanation

Oxygen is a non-metal with an atomic number of 8. The electronic configuraton of the element is given as:

If a an unknown metal with a charge of 4 combines with oxygen, the required reaction will be:

`M^(4+)+O^(2-)\rightarrow MO_2`

Since oxygen is in group VI of the periodic table and has a oxidation number of -2, to form a neutral compound with charge of +4, this means that 2 oxygen ion will combine with the metal to form a neural compound MO2