3.21 - Calculating Oxidation Numbers

Question 1

What is an oxidation number?

Answer 1

The charge that an ion has or the charge that it would have if the species were fully ionic

Question 2

What is the oxidation number of an uncombined element?

Answer 2

Zero

Question 3

What is the sum of all the oxidation numbers in a neutral compound?

Answer 3

Zero

Question 4

What is the sum of all the oxidation numbers in an ion?

Answer 4

The overall charge on the ion

Question 5

What happens to the more electronegative element in the compound?

Answer 5

It is given a negative oxidation number

Question 6

What is the oxidation number of fluorine?

Answer 6

-1

Question 7

Is this always true?

Answer 7

Yes

Question 8

Why?

Answer 8

Yes, because it is the most electronegative element

Question 9

What is the oxidation number of hydrogen normally?

Answer 9

+1

Question 10

When is it different?

Answer 10

When it bonds with a less electronegative element

Question 11

In this case, what is the oxidation number of hydrogen?

Answer 11

-1

Question 12

What is the normal oxidation number of oxygen?

Answer 12

-2

Question 13

What two scenarios change the oxidation number of oxygen?

Answer 13

• If it is in a peroxide, it is -1

- If it is combined with fluorine, it is positive