2 Oxidation Number
2 Oxidation Number
2 Oxidation Number
Definition: The oxidation number of an element is the charge that the atom of the element would have if complete transfer of electron occurs Tips from the rules: the oxidation number for atom and molecule is zero
Atom or molecule Oxidation number
Zn 0
C 0
Mg 0
Ag 0
H2 0
O2 0
Cl2 0
the sum of oxidation number of all elements in polyatomic ions is equal to the charge of the ions
NH4+ SO42- MnO4- Cr2O72- S2O32+1 -2 -1 -2 -2 Fe(CN)63-3
Calculate the oxidation numbers for the underlined elements. (i) SO2 [compound]
[refer to rules above]
S 1 x
O 2 -2
1(x) + 2(-2) = 0 x - 4 = 0 x = +4 Thus; Oxidation number of S in SO2 = +4 (ii) H2SO4 Element Number of element Oxidation number H 2 +1 S 1 x O 4 -2 Sum of oxidation numbers 0
(iii) Na2S2O3 Element Number of element Oxidation number Na 2 +1 S 2 x O 3 -2 Sum of oxidation numbers 0
2(+1) + 2(x) + 3(-2) = 0 2 + 2x - 6 = 0 x = 4 2 = +2 Thus; Oxidation number of S in Na2S2O3 = +2 (iv) NH3 Element Number of element Oxidation number N 1 x H 3 +1 = 0 x = -3 Sum of oxidation numbers 0
1(x) + 3(+1)
S 2 x
O 3 -2 = = = =
2(x) + 3(-2) 2x - 6 x x
-2 -2 (6 2) /2 +2
Thus; Oxidation number of S in S2O32- = +2 (vi) NH4+ : ammonium ion [polyatomic ion] Sum of oxidation Element N H numbers Number of element 1 4 +1 Oxidation number x +1 x(1) + 4(+1) x + 4 x x = +1 = +1 = 1 - 4 = -3
Exercises; Calculate the oxidation numbers for the underlined elements. i. ii. iii. iv. KMnO4 potassium manganate(VII) MnO4K2Cr2O7 Potassium dichromate(VI) Cr2O72-
Answer: i. KMnO4 Element Number of element Oxidation number K 1 +1 Mn 1 x O 4 -2 Sum of oxidation numbers 0
1(+1) + 1(x) + 4(-2) = 0 1 + x 8 = 0 x = +7 Thus; Oxidation number of Mn in KMnO4 = +7 ii. MnO4Element Mn O Sum of oxidation numbers
1 x
4 -2
-1
1(x) + 4(-2) = -1 x 8 = -1 x = +7 Thus; Oxidation number of Mn in KMnO4 = +7 iii. K2Cr2O7 Element K Cr 2 x O 7 -2 = = = = = 0 0 12 12 / 2 +6 Sum of oxidation numbers 0 Number of element 2 Oxidation number +1
2 x
7 -2 = = = = =
-2 0 0 12 12 / 2 +6