Oxidation States

[Dakota_Campbell_1C]

Will we be expected to know all of the oxidation numbers for all the elements or will we be given a table? If we are expected to know is there some kind of shorthand or way of figuring them out?

[Becky Belisle 1A]

The easiest way to know is by using the octet rule to figure out how many electrons the element usually gains or loses.

[Phan Tran 1K]

There are a few rules that I memorized when assigning oxidation numbers, but they're fairly complicated
1.) Group 1 elements are always +1, Group 2 elements are always +2
2.) The oxidation numbers have to equal the total charge of the ion or molecule
3.) Hydrogen is +1 unless it is bonded to a metal
4.) Oxygen is -2 unless it is a peroxide (O2, then its -1), or it is bonded to Flourine, then it is +1
5.) Halogens are usually -1. Flourine is always -1 and the others will adjust arounf flourine.
6.) Everything else can be reasoned out by following the rules for these elements first.