The formula for Iron (II) oxide, also known as ferrous oxide, is FeO.
Here's a breakdown of how to determine the formula:
- Iron (II) implies a +2 charge on the iron ion (Fe2+). The Roman numeral II indicates the oxidation state of the iron.
- Oxide implies a -2 charge on the oxygen ion (O2-).
- To form a neutral compound, the charges must balance. In this case, Fe2+ and O2- combine in a 1:1 ratio because +2 and -2 add up to zero.
Therefore, the formula is simply FeO, representing one iron(II) ion and one oxide ion.