Why do certain elements and compounds have Roman numerals behind them i.e. copper (II) sulphate (VI)?
In: Chemistry
The purpose of these Roman numerals is to indicate the oxidation state of the element in the context of the discussion. Metals can exist in various elemental oxidation states. An oxidation state in the simplest terms can be described as the charge of the element (+1, +2, +3, and so on). When an element has a charge is is called an ion. Metals can achieve different charges or oxidation states because of the number of electrons in their outer electron cloud shell. Due to the nature of their electron shell cloud they can either give or receive electrons therefore creating a charge. In a chemical equation the Roman numeral is used to tell the reader what oxidative state the metal is in so that they may understand the state of the metal.
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