Question

aluminum and oxygen
express your answer as a chemical formula.

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Explanation:

Step1: Determine oxidation states

Aluminum (Al) typically has an oxidation state of +3, and oxygen (O) typically has an oxidation state of -2.

Step2: Use criss - cross method

To form a neutral compound, the number of positive charges should equal the number of negative charges. The magnitude of the oxidation state of Al becomes the subscript of O, and the magnitude of the oxidation state of O becomes the subscript of Al. So, we get $Al_2O_3$ (since 2 (+3)+3(-2) = 6 - 6 = 0, which is neutral).

Answer:

$\ce{Al_{2}O_{3}}$