Give the names and charges of the cation and anion in each of the following compounds: (d) Co1OH22

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the cation and anion in the compound. In the compound Co(OH)2, Co is the cation and OH is the anion.
2. Step 2: Determine the charge of the cation. Co in this compound has a charge of +2, because it is balancing the charge of two OH- ions.
3. Step 3: Determine the charge of the anion. The hydroxide ion (OH-) has a charge of -1.
4. Step 4: Name the cation and anion. The cation is called Cobalt(II) indicating its +2 charge. The anion is called Hydroxide.
5. Step 5: Summarize the names and charges. The cation is Cobalt(II) with a charge of +2 and the anion is Hydroxide with a charge of -1.

Key Concepts

Ionic Compounds

Ionic compounds are formed from the electrostatic attraction between cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negatively charged ions). They typically consist of a metal and a non-metal, where the metal donates electrons to become a cation, while the non-metal accepts electrons to become an anion. Understanding the composition of ionic compounds is essential for identifying the charges of the ions involved.

Oxidation States

The oxidation state of an element in a compound indicates the degree of oxidation (loss of electrons) of that element. In ionic compounds, the oxidation states help determine the charges of the cations and anions. For example, cobalt (Co) can have multiple oxidation states, which affects the charge of the cation in the compound Co(OH)2, where hydroxide (OH) has a charge of -1.

Hydroxide Ion

The hydroxide ion (OH-) is a common anion in many ionic compounds, consisting of one oxygen atom covalently bonded to one hydrogen atom, carrying a -1 charge. In the compound Co(OH)2, two hydroxide ions balance the charge of the cobalt cation. Recognizing the charge and composition of hydroxide is crucial for determining the overall charge balance in ionic compounds.