Question

What oxidation number should we use for Fe in Fe3O4? Is it +2 or +3?

Answer 1

Answer:

In Fe3O4 there are two Fe ions having oxidation number +2 and+3.

Explanation:

let , the oxidation number of Fe=x

oxidation number of O=-2

3(x) +4(-2) = 0

3x-8=0

x=8/3

we should take the average so there are two Fe ions having +2 and +3 oxidation number