Question

The oxidation number of potassium in K₂O K₂O₂ and KO₂ respectively is

Answer 1

Explanation for Correct answer:-

Oxidation Number:

• The total number of electrons that an atom either gains or loses in order to form a chemical bond with another atom is known as the Oxidation Number.
• Generally, the Oxidation number is the charge present on the ions.

Let the oxidation number of $\mathrm{K}$ be x.

Also. we know that the oxidation state of Oxygen($\mathrm{O}$) is -2.

For ${\mathrm{K}}_2\mathrm{O}$ ,

2 x Oxidation state of $\mathrm{K}$ + Oxidation state of $\mathrm{O}$ = 0 ( As the charge on ${\mathrm{K}}_2\mathrm{O}$ is 0)

2(x) + (-2) = 0

x = +1

Therefore, the oxidation state of $\mathrm{K}$ in ${\mathrm{K}}_2\mathrm{O}$ is +1.

For ${\mathrm{K}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_2$,

2 x Oxidation state of $\mathrm{K}$ + Oxidation state of $\mathrm{O}$ = 0 (As the charge on ${\mathrm{K}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_2$ is 0)

2(x) + 2(-1) = 0 (As the oxidation state of $\mathrm{O}$ in peroxides is -1)

x = +1

Therefore, the oxidation state of K in ${\mathrm{K}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_2$ is +1.

For ${\mathrm{KO}}_2$,

Oxidation state of $\mathrm{K}$ + 2 x Oxidation state of $\mathrm{O}$ = 0 ( As the charge on ${\mathrm{KO}}_2$ is 0)

x + 2($-\frac{1}{2}$) = 0 (As the oxidation state of $\mathrm{O}$ in superoxides is $-\frac{1}{2}$)

x = +1

Therefore, the oxidation state of K in ${\mathrm{KO}}_2$ is +1.