Multiple Choice
In which reaction does the oxidation number of oxygen increase (i.e., becomes less negative or more positive)?
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6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions
Calculate Oxidation Numbers
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Which compound contains an atom with the highest oxidation number?
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Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the oxidation states of oxygen in all the given compounds. Oxygen typically has an oxidation state of -2 in most compounds.
Write the general formula for the compound and assign the oxidation number of oxygen as -2. For example, in sulfate ion SO\_4^{2-}, oxygen is -2.
Set up an equation to find the oxidation number of the central atom (S, Mn, Cr, or Cl) by using the fact that the sum of oxidation numbers in a polyatomic ion equals the overall charge of the ion. For example, for SO\_4^{2-}, the sum of oxidation states is -2.
Solve the equation for the oxidation number of the central atom. For example, if the formula is M\_nO\_4 and the charge is zero or known, use: \n\times x + 4 \times (-2) = charge, where x is the oxidation number of M.
Compare the oxidation numbers calculated for the central atoms in all compounds to determine which one has the highest oxidation number.
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