What is the oxidation number of ferric iron?

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What is the oxidation number of ferric iron?

Ferric iron means iron in the +3 oxidation state. In naming, the suffix -ic denotes the higher oxidation state, so ferric is Fe3+. The oxidation number is a formal charge used to balance electrons in compounds. For Fe3+, the charge is +3. This is visible in iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3), where two Fe atoms at +3 balance three O atoms at -2 (2×+3 + 3×-2 = 0), and in iron(III) chloride (FeCl3), where three Cl− ions balance the +3 charge on iron. Thus, the oxidation number is +3.

Ferric iron means iron in the +3 oxidation state. In naming, the suffix -ic denotes the higher oxidation state, so ferric is Fe3+. The oxidation number is a formal charge used to balance electrons in compounds. For Fe3+, the charge is +3. This is visible in iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3), where two Fe atoms at +3 balance three O atoms at -2 (2×+3 + 3×-2 = 0), and in iron(III) chloride (FeCl3), where three Cl− ions balance the +3 charge on iron. Thus, the oxidation number is +3.

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