What are some examples of oxidation numbers?
1 Answer
Aug 6, 2014
The oxidation number of an atom is the charge it appears to have when you count the electrons according to some arbitrary rules.
The oxidation number of an atom depends on the other atoms in the substance. For example,
In KCl, the oxidation number of Cl is 0.
In Cl₂, the oxidation number of Cl is -1.
In KClO, the oxidation number of Cl is +1.
In KClO₂, the oxidation number of Cl is +3.
In KClO₃, the oxidation number of Cl is +5.
In KClO₄, the oxidation number of Cl is +7.
Here are some more examples of oxidation numbers:
