Oxidation States Flashcards
(8 cards)
What are oxidation states used for, and what is another number for oxidation states?
Oxidation states help determine what has been oxidised and what has been reduced in a redox reaction
Oxidation states are also known as oxidation numbers
How is the oxidation state defined in an ionic compound?
It shows how many electrons an element has lost or gained compared to its uncombined state
How is the oxidation state defined in a molecule?
It indicates the distribution of electrons between elements of different electronegativity
How is the oxidation state assigned to the more electronegative element in a compound?
The more electronegative element is given the negative oxidation state
What is the oxidation state of an element in its uncombined state?
Zero
What does a positive/negative oxidation state indicate?
Positive = the element has loss electrons and has been oxidised
Negative = the element has gain electrons and has been reduced
What does a more positive/negative oxidation number indicate?
Positive = The element has been more oxidised
Negative = The element has been more reduced
Do oxidation states always include a sign?
Yes, oxidation numbers always have a + or - sign unless they are zero
