Question

What must be the sum of the oxidation states of all the atoms in a polyatomic ion?

Short answer

The sum of the oxidation states of all the atoms in a polyatomic ion must be equal to the overall charge of the ion, as oxidation states represent the distribution of electrons and the overall charge results from the gain or loss of electrons. To find this sum, assign oxidation states to each atom, and then add them together.

Step-by-step solution

Recall the concept of oxidation states

Oxidation states are the assigned charges to atoms in a molecule or ion and help us keep track of electron transfers in chemical reactions. The sum of oxidation states of all atoms in a compound is equal to the total charge of the compound.

Identifying the polyatomic ion

A polyatomic ion is a charged particle composed of two or more atoms covalently bonded together, acting as a single unit with a net charge.

Determine the relationship between oxidation states and the charge of a polyatomic ion

For a polyatomic ion, the sum of the oxidation states of all the atoms in the ion should be equal to the overall charge of the ion. This is because oxidation states represent the distribution of electrons in the ion, and the overall charge is the result of the gain or loss of electrons.

Summation of oxidation states

To find the sum of the oxidation states of all the atoms in a polyatomic ion, assign oxidation states to each atom and then add them together. The sum should be equal to the overall charge of the ion.

Key concepts

Oxidation Number Assignment

Understanding oxidation numbers is key to grasping essential chemistry concepts such as redox reactions. Oxidation numbers, also known as oxidation states, are a way to keep track of electrons during chemical reactions. They are hypothetical charges that atoms would have if all bonds were purely ionic, meaning if electrons were transferred completely rather than shared. To assign oxidation numbers, chemists follow a set of rules:

• For atoms in their elemental state, the oxidation number is always zero.
• For monoatomic ions, the oxidation number is equal to the ion's charge.
• Oxygen usually has an oxidation number of -2, except in peroxides or when bonded to fluorine.
• Hydrogen typically has an oxidation number of +1 when bonded to nonmetals, and -1 when bonded to metals.
• The sum of the oxidation numbers of all atoms in a molecule or polyatomic ion equals the overall charge of the molecule or ion.

When these rules are applied systematically, they aid in determining the correct oxidation number for each atom in a compound or ion. It's particularly useful when dealing with polyatomic ions because it helps understand how the charge is distributed among the atoms within the ion.

Polyatomic Ion Charge

A polyatomic ion is composed of two or more atoms that are covalently bonded yet carry an overall charge. The charge of a polyatomic ion results from the combination of the individual oxidation numbers of the atoms within the ion. While individual atoms can have positive or negative oxidation states, the polyatomic ion as a whole will have a net charge that reflects the balance of these states. For instance, in the sulfate ion \(SO_4^{2-}\), the sulfur atom has an oxidation state of +6 while each oxygen atom has an oxidation state of -2, leading to a sum of +6 + (4 × -2) = -2, which is the overall charge of the ion.

In determining the charge of a polyatomic ion, it's necessary to know the common charges of certain elements, the tendencies of these elements to gain or lose electrons, and the established rules for oxidation state assignment. Together, these factors yield the total charge, which is crucial for writing chemical formulas and for balancing chemical equations.

Electron Transfer in Chemical Reactions

Electron transfer is the foundation of redox reactions, a type of chemical reaction involving the transfer of electrons between species. Oxidation refers to the loss of electrons, while reduction refers to the gain of electrons. The oxidation states affect how electrons are relocated among atoms.

• In oxidation, the oxidation number increases as electrons are lost.
• In reduction, the oxidation number decreases due to the gain of electrons.

For compounds and ions to interact in a reaction, their oxidation states must change. For example, when a metal reacts with an acid to produce hydrogen gas, the metal's oxidation state increases as it loses electrons, and the hydrogen's oxidation state decreases as it gains electrons. Understanding electron transfer and changes in oxidation states is not only pivotal in predicting the outcomes of reactions but also in balancing equations, as the number of electrons lost and gained must be equal. This assures that the charge is conserved throughout the reaction, illustrating the profound interconnectedness of these key concepts in chemistry.