An oxide of rhenium crystallizes with the unit cell shown here (rhenium=gray; oxygen=red). What is the formula of the oxide?

Key Concepts

Unit Cell Structure

A unit cell is the smallest repeating unit in a crystal lattice that reflects the symmetry and structure of the entire crystal. Understanding the arrangement of atoms within the unit cell is crucial for determining the overall composition and formula of the compound. In this case, the positions of rhenium and oxygen atoms within the unit cell will help deduce the stoichiometry of the oxide.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry involves the calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions, based on the conservation of mass. In the context of determining the formula of a compound, it refers to the ratio of different elements present in the compound. By analyzing the number of rhenium and oxygen atoms in the unit cell, one can derive the empirical formula of the oxide.

Oxide Compounds

Oxides are compounds formed by the reaction of oxygen with another element, typically resulting in a binary compound. The properties and formulas of oxides can vary significantly based on the oxidation states of the metal involved. In this case, understanding the common oxidation states of rhenium will aid in predicting the possible formula of the rhenium oxide based on its crystal structure.