Iron forms two ions, Fe2+ and Fe3+

Iron forms two ions, Fe2+ and Fe3+.

(a) What are the formulas for the compounds the two iron ions can form with oxide ion, O2-?

Fe2+

Fe3+

(b) What are the formulas for the compounds the two iron ions can form with chloride ion,

Cl-?

Fe2+

Fe

The Correct Answer and Explanation is :

(a) Compounds with Oxide Ion (O²⁻)

1. Fe²⁺ and Oxide Ion (O²⁻):

• The formula for the compound formed between Fe²⁺ and O²⁻ is FeO.
• Fe²⁺ has a charge of +2, while O²⁻ has a charge of -2. To balance the charges, one Fe²⁺ ion pairs with one O²⁻ ion to form FeO.

1. Fe³⁺ and Oxide Ion (O²⁻):

• The formula for the compound formed between Fe³⁺ and O²⁻ is Fe₂O₃.
• Fe³⁺ has a charge of +3, and O²⁻ has a charge of -2. To balance the charges, two Fe³⁺ ions (total charge of +6) combine with three O²⁻ ions (total charge of -6), resulting in Fe₂O₃.

(b) Compounds with Chloride Ion (Cl⁻)

1. Fe²⁺ and Chloride Ion (Cl⁻):

• The formula for the compound formed between Fe²⁺ and Cl⁻ is FeCl₂.
• Fe²⁺ has a charge of +2, and Cl⁻ has a charge of -1. To balance the charges, one Fe²⁺ ion pairs with two Cl⁻ ions (total charge of -2), resulting in FeCl₂.

1. Fe³⁺ and Chloride Ion (Cl⁻):

• The formula for the compound formed between Fe³⁺ and Cl⁻ is FeCl₃.
• Fe³⁺ has a charge of +3, and Cl⁻ has a charge of -1. To balance the charges, one Fe³⁺ ion pairs with three Cl⁻ ions (total charge of -3), resulting in FeCl₃.

Explanation:

Iron (Fe) can form multiple ionic compounds, depending on the oxidation state of the iron ion. The two common oxidation states for iron are +2 (Fe²⁺) and +3 (Fe³⁺).

When iron ions bond with anions, such as oxide (O²⁻) or chloride (Cl⁻), the resulting compound’s formula is determined by the need to balance the total charge of the ions involved. This balance ensures that the compound is electrically neutral. For oxide, the formula depends on the charge difference between iron ions and oxide ions. Similarly, when bonding with chloride, the number of chloride ions adjusts to neutralize the charge of the iron ions.

Now, I will generate an image representing these compounds.

Here is the illustration of the iron compounds (FeO, Fe₂O₃, FeCl₂, and FeCl₃) with oxide (O²⁻) and chloride (Cl⁻) ions. This image shows the interactions between the iron ions and the anions, helping visualize the charge balance and structure of each compound. Let me know if you need any more details!