Oxidation Number
Oxidation Number is the power that appears on an atom when all other atoms are removed as ions. Oxidation numbers can be negative or positive.
Determination of Oxidation Number
Oxidation Number of any compound is calculated using the steps added below,
- Sum of the oxidation number of atoms in a neutral compound is equal to zero.
- Algebraic sum of the oxidation number of atoms in an ion is equal to the charge of that ion.
- Oxidation number of elements in their elementary state is equal to zero.
- Oxidation number of the element Fluorine is always equal to -1 in every compound.
- Oxidation number of Oxygen in every compound is -2, except in peroxides which are -1.
- Metal amalgam oxidation number is zero.
- Oxidation number of alkali metals is always +1 and the oxidation number of alkali earth metals is +2.
- For P-block elements, the highest oxidation number is always equal to their group number and their lowest oxidation number is equal to their group number minus 8.
For example: Lets find the Oxidation number of the compound K2Cr2O7
First consider the following oxidation number for the species present in the compound,
K2 = 2(+1) {Since oxidation number of potassium is +1}
Cr2= 2(x)
O7 = 7(-2) {Since oxidation number of oxygen is -2}
By adding them,
2 + 2(x) – 14 = 0
2x – 12 = 0
2x = 12
x = 12/2
= +6
Therefore, oxidation number of chromium in K2Cr2O7 is +6
Oxidation and Reduction Reactions
Oxidation and Reduction reactions are simply called Redox reactions. There are chemical reactions in which the oxidation number of the chemical species involved in the reaction changes. Oxidation and reduction Reactions involve a wide variety of processes. For example, oxidation-reduction reactions are so common that they can be the breathing process, burning of wood, rusting, fruit ripening, photosynthesis, and many more. Generally, these redox reactions involve the transfer of oxygen or hydrogen atoms.
In this article, we will learn about, What is Oxidation, What is Reduction, Examples of Oxidation Reductions Reactions, Oxidation and Reduction Half Reactions, Oxidation Number, and many more in detail.
Table of Content
- What is Oxidation?
- What is Reduction?
- Examples of Oxidation and Reduction Reactions
- Oxidation and Reduction Half Reaction
- Oxidation Number
- Oxidation vs Reduction
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