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- Oxidation Number:
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- The charge an atom has, or appears to have, when
the electrons of the compound are counted in accordance with a set of rules.
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-
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1.
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Free
elements are assigned an oxidation state of zero.
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2.
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The
sum of the oxidation states of all that atoms in a species must be equal
to the net charge on the species.
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3.
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The
alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs) in compounds are always assigned an
oxidation state of +1.
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4.
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Fluorine
in compounds is always assigned an oxidation state of -1.
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5.
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The
alkaline earth metals (Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Ra) and also Zn and Cd in
compounds are always assigned an oxidation state of +2.
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6.
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Hydrogen
in compounds is assigned an oxidation state of +1.
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7.
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Oxygen
in compounds is assigned an oxidation state of -2.
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| 8. |
Halogen
in compounds is assigned an oxidation state of -1. |
Application of these rules to a compound must occur
in the order given.
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