What are the oxidation number of the underlined elements in each of the following and how do you rationalise your results? ul(Fe)_(3)O_(4)

What are the oxidation number of the underlined elements in each of th

1.	What are the oxidation number of the underlined elements in each of the following and how do you rationalise your results? ul(Fe)_(3)O_(4)
Answer» Solution :The average OXIDATION number of Fe in `Fe_(3)O_(4)` can be calculated as follows. `overset(x)(Fe_(3))overset(-2)(O_(4))` or `[(x)xx3]+[(-2)xx4]=0` `x=+(8)/(3)` Since, the average oxidation number is fractional, let US consider the STOICHIOMETRY of the molecule. `Fe_(3)O_(4)` is a mixed oxide and has the COMPOSITION `overset(+2-2)(FeO).overset(+3)(Fe_(2))overset(2)(O_(3))`. In `FeO`, the oxidation number of Fe is + 2 while that in `Fe_(2)O_(3)` it is +3.