Question

A compound contains atoms $X,Y$ and $Z$. The oxidation number of $X$ is +2, $Y$ is +5 and $Z$ is -2.
The possible formula of the compound is:

• A. $X{Y}_1{Z}_2$
• B. $Y_2(X{Z}_3{)}_2$
• C. $X_3(Y{Z}_4{)}_2$
• D. $X_3(Y_{4}Z{)}_2$

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

$X_3(Y{Z}_4{)}_2$

The net charge on the compound should be zero. Or the sum of oxidation states = 0.

Given: oxidation number of $X$ is +2, $Y$ is +5 and $Z$ is -2.

In $XY{Z}_2$:

$2+5+2\times (-2)=+3$

In $Y_2(X{Z}_3{)}_2$:

$2\times 5+2\times (2+3\times (-2\left)\right)=+2$

In $X_3(Y{Z}_4{)}_2$:

$3\times 2+2\times (5+4\times (-2\left)\right)=0$

In $X_3(Y{Z}_4{)}_2$:

$3\times 2+2\times (5+4\times (-2\left)\right)=0$

In $X_3(Y_{4}Z{)}_2$:

$3\times 2+2\times (4\times 5-2)=42$

A compound contains atoms $X,Y$ and $Z$ . The oxidation number of $X$ is +2 , $Y$ is +5 and $Z$ is -2.

The possible formula of the compound is $X_3(Y{Z}_4{)}_2$.