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.
