Question Video: Recalling the Names of Compounds Formed from Iron Atoms with a Valence of 2 Science • First Year of Preparatory School

Video Transcript

Atoms of iron can have a valence of either two or three. What is the name given to compounds formed from iron atoms with a valence of two?

The question asks about the valence of iron. The valence of an element is the number of electrons an atom gains, loses, or shares when forming a bond during a chemical reaction. Iron can have a valence of two or three. Iron atoms with a valence of two tend to lose two electrons, forming Fe2+ ions, whereas iron atoms with a valence of three tend to lose three electrons, forming Fe3+ ions.

A compound with Fe2+ uses the name ferrous, whereas a compound with Fe3+ uses the name ferric. Therefore, the name given to compounds formed from iron atoms with a valence of two is ferrous.