What does the roman numeral stand for in copper(1) oxide should it not be copper(II) oxide

The roman numeral in copper(I) oxide indicates that the oxidation number of copper in the compound is 1.

Explanation:

Roman numeral is used to indicate the oxidation number of an element in a compound.

The roman numeral in copper(I) oxide indicates that the oxidation number of copper in the compound is 1.

This can be seen from the following illustration:

copper(I) oxide => Cu₂O

Oxidation number of O = –2

Oxidation number of Cu₂O = 0

Oxidation number of Cu =?

Cu₂O = 0

2Cu + O = 0

2Cu – 2 = 0

Collect like terms

2Cu = 0 + 2

2Cu = 2

Divide both side by 2

Cu = 2/2

Cu = 1

Thus, we can see that the oxidation number of Cu in Cu₂O is 1. Hence the name of Cu₂O is copper(I) oxide indicating that the oxidation number of of copper (Cu) in the compound is 1.

For copper(II) oxide, we shall determine the oxidation number of Cu. This can be obtained as follow:

copper(II) oxide, CuO => CuO

Oxidation number of O = –2

Oxidation number of CuO = 0

Oxidation number of Cu =?

CuO = 0

Cu + O = 0

Cu – 2 = 0

Collect like terms

Cu = 0 + 2

Cu = 2

Thus, the oxidation number of Cu in CuO is 2. Hence the name of CuO is copper(II) oxide indicating that the oxidation number of of copper (Cu) in the compound is 2.

From the above illustrations,

We can see that the roman numeral in both copper(I) oxide, Cu₂O and copper(II) oxide, CuO are different because the oxidation number of Cu in both cases are different.

explanation: