Oxidation States

Question 1

What’s the oxidation state of an element?

Answer 1

Zero

Question 2

What’s the oxidation state of a simple, monoatomic ion?

Answer 2

The same as its charge

Question 3

what is disproportionation?

Answer 3

when one particular element is simultaneously oxidised and reduced

Question 4

what are the steps for using oxidation numbers to balance redox reactions?

Answer 4

1. work out the ox numbers
2. find the elements that are changing in ox number and by how much
3. the changes in ox number must balance, use that to balance those elements
4. check that the charge balances