Multiple Choice
Determine the oxidation state of each element in (assume typical oxidation-state rules for covalent compounds).
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6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions
Calculate Oxidation Numbers
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When determining oxidation numbers, how can you find the oxidation number of a monatomic ion (an ion made of a single element)?
A
It is equal to the number of valence electrons the atom has in its neutral state.
B
It is always because the particle is an ion.
C
It is equal to the ion’s charge (for example, in , the oxidation number of is ).
D
It is found by assigning to oxygen and to hydrogen, then balancing.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that the oxidation number (or oxidation state) represents the hypothetical charge an atom would have if all bonds were completely ionic.
Recall that for monatomic ions, which consist of a single atom carrying a charge, the oxidation number is straightforward to determine.
Recognize that the oxidation number of a monatomic ion is equal to the charge on the ion itself. For example, in the ion \(\mathrm{N^{3-}}\), the oxidation number of nitrogen is \(-3\).
Note that this differs from atoms in molecules or polyatomic ions, where oxidation numbers are assigned based on electronegativity and bonding rules.
Therefore, to find the oxidation number of a monatomic ion, simply identify the ion's charge, and that value is the oxidation number.
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