oxidation state

**phychem** · October 13th, 2011, 04:54 AM

need help for what is oxidation state and is there is any way to calculate it.

THANK YOU

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**John Galt** · October 13th, 2011, 06:18 AM

I notice that your three questions posted so far have the feel of homework, or frantic last minute study for a class test. I'm at a loss for why you even need to ask these questions when the whole of the internet is available as a resource. The wikipedia article on oxidation states seems to provide what you need. Surely you looked at that? If you did, then what is not clear? Your questions would need to be more specific. If you did not look at that article or similar, then duh!

**Yushiniswah** · October 14th, 2011, 07:45 PM

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**saagar2692** · October 16th, 2011, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by phychem

need help for what is oxidation state and is there is any way to calculate it.

THANK YOU

oxidation state relates to the oxidation number of a particular element in a compound.
For e.g; consider NaCl. the oxidation state of sodium is +1 and that of chlorine is -1.
now consider the carbonate molecule ion(CO₃^{2-

if we have to calculate the oxidation state of carbon, we say let the oxidation number of C be Y

the oxidation state of O -2

there are 3 O atoms

CALCULATION:

Y + (3X-2) = -2

you solve for Y and u'll get the oxidation state for C}