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.

See here for a past answer. You are certainly free to ask further questions.

Related questions
See all questions in Oxidation Numbers
Impact of this question
9612 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License