Oxidation Numbers

[Letty Liu 2C]

When calculating net charges, are oxygen and hydrogen the only atoms that will always be its actual oxidation number?

[Isha_Maniyar_Dis2E]

Halogens are always -1, oxygen is (almost) always -2, and hydrogen is always +1. In general, earth metals are +1 and alkaline earth metals are +2.

Hope this helped!

[Amy Pham 1D]

As stated in the answer above, note that oxygen does not always have its expected oxidation state of -2! Although that is what it is the majority of the time, there are exception cases that occur significantly frequently.

[Morgan Carrington 2H]

It is common to see them with those oxidation numbers, but there can be exceptions from time to time. I would say to be aware of it and try not to fall into a pattern because it could cause future mistakes!

[Luc Zelissen 1K]

The oxidation state of oxygen in its compounds is usually -2, except for peroxides like H2O2, and Na2O2, in which the oxidation state for O is -1. The oxidation state of hydrogen is +1 in its compounds, except for metal hydrides, such as NaH, LiH, etc., in which the oxidation state for H is -1.

[Maya Pakulski 1D]

What are oxidation numbers used for?

[Luc Zelissen 1K]

What are oxidation numbers used for?

If you know the oxidation numbers of a species on both sides of a chemical reaction, then you will know if it is reduced, stay the same, or oxidized

[CNourian2H]

What are oxidation numbers used for?

I am also partly confused with this. I understand we use the oxidation numbers for redox reactions, but can you explain how it in an example?