Oxidation state of oxygen atom in potassium superoxide is

Options

A. `0`
B. `-(1)/(2)`
C. `-1`
D. `-2`

Explanation

To determine the oxidation state of the oxygen atom in potassium superoxide (KO2), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the components of potassium superoxide
Potassium superoxide consists of potassium ions (K⁺) and superoxide ions (O₂²⁻). The superoxide ion has a formula of O₂²⁻, which indicates that it contains two oxygen atoms.

### Step 2: Assign oxidation states
1. The oxidation state of potassium (K) is +1 because it is an alkali metal.
2. Let’s denote the oxidation state of each oxygen atom in the superoxide ion as \( x \).

### Step 3: Set up the equation
The overall charge of the superoxide ion (O₂²⁻) is -1. Since there are two oxygen atoms, we can express the total oxidation state of the two oxygen atoms as \( 2x \). Therefore, we can write the equation based on the total charge:

\[ \text{Charge of K} + \text{Charge of O}_2 = 0 \]
\[ 1 + 2x = -1 \]

### Step 4: Solve for x
Now, we can solve for \( x \):

\[ 1 + 2x = -1 \]
\[ 2x = -1 - 1 \]
\[ 2x = -2 \]
\[ x = -1 \]

### Step 5: Determine the oxidation state of oxygen
Since \( x \) represents the oxidation state of each oxygen atom in the superoxide ion, we find that the oxidation state of each oxygen atom in potassium superoxide (KO₂) is -1.

### Final Answer
The oxidation state of oxygen in potassium superoxide (KO₂) is -1.

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