What is the sum of all the oxidation numbers in any compound?

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 28, 2016

In any compound the sum of the oxidation numbers is equal to the charge on the compound.

Explanation:

And of course if the compound is neutral, then the sum of the oxidation numbers of is neutral. If the compound is an ion, i.e. #CrO_4^(2-), NO_3^-, SO_4^(2-)#, the sum of the oxidation numbers is the charge on the ion.

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