Oxidation Numbers: Assigning oxidation numbers to atoms in a chemical compound - Examples
Oxidation / Reduction Oxidation Numbers: Assigning oxidation numbers to atoms in chemical compounds - Examples In a previous post entitled “ Oxidation – Reduction (Redox) Reactions – Balancing Redox Reactions ” the general steps for assigning oxidation numbers to atoms in a molecule or ion were presented. Assignment of oxidation numbers is a basic step for balancing redox reactions . A few solved examples are given below: Example #1 Calculate the oxidation number of the S atom in the following compounds: α) H 2 S b) SO 4 -2 α) Step 1 : Find the most electronegative atom The most electronegative atom in H 2 S is the S atom Step 2 : The oxidation number of the most electronegative atom is equal to the charge of its ion Since the charge of sulfur’s ion is unknown let’s suppose that is equal to x Step 3 : Oxidation numbers that are not known have to be calculated. The oxidatio...