Hydrogen?

[kanikubari]

Does the reduction or oxidation of hydrogen matter? For example in problem 6k .1, the solution doesn't state hydrogen.

[Noah Cook 3O]

Generally hydrogen is not reduced or oxidized, but has a consistent oxidation state of +1. If it is a complex molecule that involves hydrogen, like H2SO4, it is usually another element within the molecule that is being reduced or oxidized.

[Cienna Henry 1J]

Generally hydrogen is not reduced or oxidized, but has a consistent oxidation state of +1. If it is a complex molecule that involves hydrogen, like H2SO4, it is usually another element within the molecule that is being reduced or oxidized.

Why is this?

[Dhwani Krishnan 1G]

Hydrogen has only 1 valence electron. When combined with a less-electronegative element (eg. a metal), it gains another to complete its p-orbital, giving it an oxidation state of -1. In other cases, it loses its electron, giving it an oxidation state of +1.

Since there is only 1 electron to begin with, it is unlikely that hydrogen will become further oxidized/reduced when it is already bonded to something in a complex molecule.