Chapter 3, Problem 109AP

(a) Determine the oxidation number of lead in each of the following oxides: $\text{PbO},{\text{PbO}}_{\text{2}},{\text{Pb}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{3}},{\text{Pb}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}_{\text{4}}$ .

(b) The only known lead ions are ${\text{Pb}}^{\text{2}+}$ and ${\text{Pb}}^{\text{4}+}$ . How can you reconcile this statement with your answer to part (A)?