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Solved: What is an oxidation number? How is it used to
Chapter 4, Problem 4.37(choose chapter or problem)
What is an oxidation number? How is it used to identify redox reactions? Explain why, except for ionic compounds, oxidation number does not have any physical significance
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
What is an oxidation number? How is it used to identify redox reactions? Explain why, except for ionic compounds, oxidation number does not have any physical significance
ANSWER:Step 1 of 2
Oxidation number is defined as the charge that an atom has or appears to have when electrons are distributed according to certain rules.
Rules to assign the oxidation number;
* The oxidation number of the atoms in any free uncombined element is zero.
* The sum of the oxidation numbers of all atoms in a compound is zero.
* The sum of the oxidation numbers of all atoms in an ion is equal to the charge of the ion.
* The oxidation number of fluorine in all its compounds is -1.
* The oxidation number of other halogen in their compounds is usually -1.