You're right to be confused! While the formulas look similar, sodium oxide (Na₂O) and sodium peroxide (Na₂O₂) are very different compounds.

Here's why:

* Sodium Oxide (Na₂O):

* Contains sodium in the +1 oxidation state.

* Oxygen has an oxidation state of -2.

* It's a basic oxide that reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

* Sodium Peroxide (Na₂O₂):

* Contains sodium in the +1 oxidation state.

* Oxygen has an oxidation state of -1.

* It's a powerful oxidizing agent, and it can react with water to form sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).

Key Differences:

* Oxygen oxidation state: Sodium oxide has oxygen in the -2 state, while sodium peroxide has oxygen in the -1 state.

* Chemical properties: They have different reactivity and applications due to the different oxidation states of oxygen.

So, even though the formulas are similar, they represent distinct compounds with different chemical properties.