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An unknown metal with a charge of 2 combines with oxygen. How many ions are needed in a neutral compound of this metal and oxygen?

User Korsarq
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The oxidation state of O is -2, except in the alkaline fluorine compounds, the peroxides, where it is -1, in the superoxides, it is -1/2 and in oxygen fluoride (OF2), where it is +2.

As the metal does not meet any of the exceptions the oxidation state of the oxygen will be -2.

We are told that the metal has a charge of +2, therefore we will need:


M^(+2)O^(-2)

We will need one ion of oxygen and one ion of metal.

User Heyydrien
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