Find the Oxidation Numbers GaRuCl

$G a R u C l$

Step 1

Since $G a$ is in column $3$ of the periodic table, it will share $3$ electrons and use an oxidation state of $3$ .

$G a = 1 (3) = 3$

Step 2

Since $C l$ is in column $7$ of the periodic table, it will share $7$ electrons and use an oxidation state of $7$ .

$C l = 1 (- 1) = - 1$

Step 3

To find the oxidation state of $R u$ , set up an equation of each oxidation state found earlier and set it equal to $0$ .

$3 - 1 + 1 x = 0$

Step 4

Solve the equation for $x$ .

Simplify $3 + - 1 + 1 x$ .

Multiply $x$ by $1$ .

$3 + - 1 + x = 0$

Add $3$ and $- 1$ .

$2 + x = 0$

Subtract $2$ from both sides of the equation.

$x = - 2$

Step 5

$R u$ is using an oxidation state of $- 2$ .

$- 2$

Step 6

This is the full list of oxidation states for this molecule.

$G a = 3, C l = - 1, R u = - 2$