Question

How would you find the oxidation numbers of MgO?

Answer 1

In the compound

`"O=-2 and Mg=+2"`

Explanation:

There is a general rule that the sum of
the oxidation numbers for a pure compound is always zero

There rule for oxygen which states that the oxidation number
always equals -2 in compounds , except in peroxides

So `(-2)+("oxidation number of Mg")=0`

`rArr-2+2=0`

So, the oxidation number for `"O"=-2` and `"Mg"=+2`