Thread: Oxidation Numbers

Hello, in my 8th grade advanced science class we are learning oxidation numbers, I still yet don't understand them after taking a test over them and getting a 100. Can someone explain me in a simple and easier way to find oxidation numbers?

wouldnt it be polite to thank those who have already helped you with other questions before asking more questions, just a thought.

Originally Posted by Megabrain

wouldnt it be polite to thank those who have already helped you with other questions before asking more questions, just a thought.

well i am on this website for some decent help

Just follow these rules:

1) All species in their elemental form are given the oxidation number of zero.
2) All monoatomic ions have the same oxidation number as the charge on the ion. e.g. Mg 2+ has the oxidation number of +2
3) All combined hydrogen has oxidation number of +1 (except metal hydrides where it's oxidation number is -1)
4) All combined oxygen has an oxidation number of -2 (except peroxides where the oxidation number is -1)
5) Polyatomic species- the sum of the oxidation numbers of the elements in the ion equals the charge on that species (we can use this to find the oxidation number of elements in polyatomic species)

Best regards,

César