The overall negative charge in $TiO _2$ is -4. What is the charge of the titanium ion?
A. +4
B. +2
C. -2
D. -4
Answer (2)
Define the variable x as the charge of the titanium ion.
Calculate the total charge of the oxygen ions: 2 × ( − 2 ) = − 4 .
Set up the equation: x + ( − 4 ) = − 4 .
Solve for x : x = 0 . The charge of the titanium ion is 0 .
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given that the overall negative charge in T i O 2 is -4. We need to find the charge of the titanium ion.
Determining the Charge of Oxygen Let x be the charge of the titanium ion (Ti). Oxygen (O) typically has a charge of -2. Since there are two oxygen ions in T i O 2 , their combined charge is 2 × ( − 2 ) = − 4 .
Setting up the Equation The total charge of the T i O 2 molecule is the sum of the charges of the titanium ion and the two oxygen ions. Therefore, we have the equation: x + 2 ( − 2 ) = − 4
Solving for x Solving for x :
x − 4 = − 4 x = − 4 + 4 x = 0
Final Answer Therefore, the charge of the titanium ion is 0.
Examples
Understanding the charge of ions is crucial in various fields, such as material science and chemistry. For instance, when designing new battery materials, knowing the oxidation states of transition metals like titanium helps predict the material's stability and electrochemical properties. Similarly, in environmental science, understanding the charge of ions aids in predicting the behavior of pollutants in water and soil, enabling the development of effective remediation strategies. In this case, knowing the charge of titanium in T i O 2 helps in understanding its chemical properties and potential applications.
The charge of the titanium ion in T i O 2 is +4. This is determined by calculating the total contribution from oxygen ions, which is -4, and balancing it with the titanium ion's charge. Thus, the answer is A. +4.
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