Where does the roman numeral in the name of metals with variable charges come from?

When something is named like Iron (II) Sulfate, where does the II come from? Every time someone in my class asks, my teacher just says, "Oh, well it's the charge." The charge of what? If it helps I think the original problem in our notes was FeSO4.

Also, if it's not a transition metal, do you have to use the roman numeral?

2009-12-06T17:41:19Z

In response to Dusty_Flow: So it is just basically the opposite of whatever the other element or compound's charge is?

Anonymous2009-12-06T17:40:36Z

Favorite Answer

It's just an easy way of classifying it. Instead of saying ferric and ferrous it's more commonly Fe(II) and Fe(III). And yes the roman numeral number is the charge.

The charge on Fe in that problem would be 2+ since it cancels the 2- charge on sulfate.

It's only used for transition metals which exist with more than one charge.

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