Why is HgSO4 mercury (II) sulfate?

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LindsayRose

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Mercury or mercurous is a polyatomic ion...which makes it Hg2+2(first "2" show be a subscript "2") and in balancing the sulfate you get HgSO4mercury (II) Sulfate
 
Mercury or mercurous is a polyatomic ion...which makes it Hg2+2(first "2" show be a subscript "2") and in balancing the sulfate you get HgSO4mercury (II) Sulfate
 
Because in that compound, the mercury is in the +2 oxidation state so it is written with a (II)
If it was in the +4 oxidation state, then it would have a (IV)
 
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