Chapter 7.2 - Oxidation Numbers

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Remember the 8 rules to determining the Oxidation number of an element!

Rule 1 - The SUM of all the oxidation numbers in a NEUTRAL compound is ZERO.  (It is neutral if there is no number with a + or - in the upper right corner.)

Rule 2 - All single elements have an oxidation number of ZERO.

Rule 3 - The SUM of all the oxidation numbers in an IONIC compound is equal to the CHARGE of that compound.

Rule 4 - The oxidation number for a monotomic ion (a single element with a + or -) is equal to the CHARGE of that ion.

Rule 5 - Group 1 elements (Alkali Metals) have a +1 charge in a compound; Group 2 elements (Alkaline-Earth Metals) have a +2 charge in a compound.

Rule 6 - Hydrogen has an oxidation number of +1 when it is with other non-metals. It is -1 with other metals.

Rule 7 - Oxygen will usually be -2 in a compound.  The exceptions are when bonded to Fluorine (Oxygen will be +2), or when as a Peroxide (Oxygen will be -1).  **The only peroxide we will be dealing with is H2O2.**

Rule 8 - The Halogen (Group 17) elements will often be -1, but the preceding rules take priority over this one.  EXCEPTION: Fluorine will ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS be -1!!!  No matter what.

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