Chapter 3.9, Problem 3Q

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The charges on the copper ion in ${\text{YBa}}_{\text{2}}{\text{Cu}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}_7$ has to be determined.

Concept introduction:

An oxidizing agent gains the electrons and is reduced in a chemical reaction and it is electron acceptor.  A reducing agent loses electrons and is oxidized in a chemical reaction and it is electron donor.  The oxidation state is called as oxidation number, which describes degree of oxidation (loss of electrons) of an atom in a chemical compound.  Theoretically, the oxidation state is positive, negative or zero.

The calculation of the empirical formula of the compound is shown below,

Get the mass of each element by assuming a certain overall mass for the sample.  Convert the mass of each element to moles of each element using the atomic masses.  Find the ratio or the moles of each element by dividing the number of moles of each by the smallest number of moles.