What is the charge on #Co# in #[Co(CN)_6]^(-3)#?

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Answer 1 · 2018-02-28T12:31:33

#+3#

We have the compound #[Co(CN)_6]^(3-)#.

This compound is made of cobalt and cyanide.

A cyanide #(CN^-)# ion has a charge of #-1#. Since there are #6# cyanide molecules in here, their total charge is #-6#.

Let #x# be the charge of cobalt #(Co)# in this compound.

The total charge of the molecule is #-3#, so we can setup an equation to find the charge of cobalt, i.e. find #x#.

#x+(-6)=-3#

#x-6=-3#

#x=3#

So, the charge of cobalt in this compound is #+3#.