Analysis shows that nickel oxide has the formula `Ni_(0.98)O_(1.00)`. What fractions of nickel "exist" as `Ni^(2+)` and `Ni^(3+)` ions?

Explanation

To determine the fractions of nickel that exist as \( \text{Ni}^{2+} \) and \( \text{Ni}^{3+} \) ions in nickel oxide with the formula \( \text{Ni}_{0.98}\text{O}_{1.00} \), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Determine the total number of nickel and oxygen atoms
From the formula \( \text{Ni}_{0.98}\text{O}_{1.00} \), we know that there are 0.98 moles of nickel for every 1 mole of oxygen.

### Step 2: Establish the relationship between nickel and oxygen
Assuming we have 100 atoms of oxygen (for easier calculation), we would have:
- Nickel atoms = 0.98 * 100 = 98 atoms of nickel
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