Q. Charge of Fe

Q: What are the common oxidation states (charges) of iron, Fe?

Iron commonly shows +2 and +3 oxidation states in compounds. You may also see 0 in elemental iron, and less common states like +1, +4, or +6 in specific complex/oxides.

Q: What is the charge of Fe in \text{FeCl}_2 ?

Chloride is -1 each. With two \text{Cl}^- , total is -2. For a neutral compound, \text{Fe} must be +2.

Q: What is the charge of Fe in \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 ?

Oxygen is -2 each. With three O atoms: 3 \times (-2)= -6. The compound is neutral, so 2 \times \text{Fe} = +6, giving each Fe as +3.

Q: What is the charge of Fe in \text{FeSO}_4 ?

\text{SO}_4^{2-} has a -2 charge. The compound must be neutral, so Fe must be +2. Thus Fe is \text{Fe}^{2+}.

Q: How do you find the charge of Fe from a given formula with no given oxidation state?

Use known charges of other ions (like \text{O}^{2-}, \text{Cl}^- , \text{SO}_4^{2-}). Set the total ionic charge to zero for a neutral compound and solve for Fe’s oxidation state.

Q: What is the charge (oxidation state) of Fe in metallic iron, \text{Fe} ?

In the pure element \text{Fe}(s) , the oxidation state is 0. So the “charge” in redox/oxidation-state terms is 0.

Answer

To find the charge, use that iron (Fe) commonly has oxidation states. In most basic chemistry “charge of Fe” problems, iron is taken in its common ions:

\(\text{Fe}^{2+}\) (iron(II)) and \(\text{Fe}^{3+}\) (iron(III)).

Final result: Fe can be \(\text{+2}\) or \(\text{+3}\).

Detailed Explanation

It looks like the problem statement is incomplete: “charge of fe.”

In chemistry, iron (Fe) can have different oxidation states (and therefore different charges) depending on the compound. The most common charges are:

1) Neutral element
For elemental iron, the oxidation state is zero:

\[
\text{Fe}^0
\]

2) Common ionic oxidation states
In most ionic compounds, iron appears as:

\(\text{Fe}^{2+}\) (iron(II))
\(\text{Fe}^{3+}\) (iron(III))

Answer (what charge “Fe” usually means)
If you are asked “charge of Fe” without additional context, the standard expected answer is that iron can be either \(\text{Fe}^{2+}\) or \(\text{Fe}^{3+}\).

See full solution

Struggling with Fe charge? Try our AI homework help now!

AI homework helper

General Chemistry FAQs

What are the common oxidation states (charges) of iron, Fe?

Iron commonly shows \(+2\) and \(+3\) oxidation states in compounds. You may also see \(0\) in elemental iron, and less common states like \(+1\), \(+4\), or \(+6\) in specific complex/oxides.

What is the charge of Fe in \( \text{FeCl}_2 \)?

Chloride is \( -1\) each. With two \( \text{Cl}^- \), total is \( -2\). For a neutral compound, \( \text{Fe} \) must be \( +2\).

What is the charge of Fe in \( \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 \)?

Oxygen is \( -2\) each. With three O atoms: \(3 \times (-2)= -6\). The compound is neutral, so \(2 \times \text{Fe} = +6\), giving each Fe as \(+3\).

What is the charge of Fe in \( \text{FeSO}_4 \)?

\(\text{SO}_4^{2-}\) has a \( -2\) charge. The compound must be neutral, so Fe must be \(+2\). Thus Fe is \( \text{Fe}^{2+}\).

How do you find the charge of Fe from a given formula with no given oxidation state?

Use known charges of other ions (like \( \text{O}^{2-}\), \( \text{Cl}^- \), \( \text{SO}_4^{2-}\)). Set the total ionic charge to zero for a neutral compound and solve for Fe’s oxidation state.

What is the charge (oxidation state) of Fe in metallic iron, \( \text{Fe} \) ?

In the pure element \( \text{Fe}(s) \), the oxidation state is \(0\). So the “charge” in redox/oxidation-state terms is \(0\).

Is the “charge of Fe” the same as the atomic number or the valence electron count?

No. The charge (oxidation state) is an electron bookkeeping value in compounds. Atomic number is how many protons Fe has (\(26\)). Valence electrons relate to reactivity but aren’t directly the ionic charge.

Use math AI to finish fast.
Try tips, steps, and practice.

301,983+ active customers
Analytical, General, Biochemistry, etc.

Chemistry AI Organic Chemistry Solver Science Solver