Question

aluminum and oxygen
express your answer as a chemical formula.

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: Find the ratio

To form a neutral compound, the total positive charge must equal the total negative charge. Let the number of Al atoms be \( x \) and O atoms be \( y \). So, \( 3x = 2y \). The smallest integers satisfying this are \( x = 2 \) and \( y = 3 \).

Step3: Write the formula

Using the ratio, the chemical formula is \( \text{Al}_2\text{O}_3 \).

Answer:

\(\text{Al}_2\text{O}_3\)