How are oxidation numbers assigned?

1 Answer
Jun 25, 2016

All these compounds?

Explanation:

The oxidation number of oxygen in OXIDES is generally #-II#. The oxidation number of a metal is generally its Group Number; i.e. #"barium"# as a #"Group II"# metal generally has a #II+# oxidation state in its compounds. An element has an oxidation number of #0#; i.e. it is zerovalent; #O_2# gas is zerovalent because it has not reacted with (oxidized) anything. The sum of the oxidation numbers is equal to the charge on the ion; viz. #CO_3^(2-)#, if oxygen is #-II# (and it is!), then #C# has a #IV+# oxidation state.

I am unwilling to assign the other oxidation numbers until you make an attempt.