Oxidation Numbers: Provided or memorize?

[Arya Adibi 1K]

For the final exam, do we have to know all the oxidation numbers of different elements?

I know that Oxygen is usually -2 and Hydrogen is either -1 or +1, but for all other elements do we just have to know the oxidation numbers or will they be provided?

[Sarah_Hoffman_2H]

I assume they will not be provided. To solve for oxidation number you use the balanced chemical equation, and assumptions for species like O and H

[Sydney Sullivan 2J]

I agree with the above post -- they will not be provided. If you know the basic rules for Oxygen, Hydrogen, and ions though, you should be fine!

[Neal_Agarwal_3B]

I believe that on the exam you will have to derive them your self. What I would recommend is finding the chempendix page for oxidation numbers in the sapling textbook. That page had a lot of useful rules for determining oxidation numbers in various situations. I hope this helps!

[Samiha Molla 3G]

There are also super quick videos on YouTube/short reads on google if you just look up "oxidation number rules". I've found that just memorizing the few rules has gotten me through any problems that require us to use oxidation numbers!

[Shrey Pawar 2A]

I believe you have to memorize the basic Oxidation Numbers for elements like O or H which will never really have a different number besides -2 and +1, respectively. For the rest, you will just have to figure them out based on how much there is of the substance that we do have the number memorized for. Hope this helps!

[Vivian_Le_1L]

You'll probably have to figure them out yourself, but there are lots of videos on youtube that are really helpful. There are general rules to follow when trying to find the oxidation numbers, but it's pretty simple once you get the hang of it.

[Emma Strassner 1J]

Like people said, if you know the general rules about elements like O and H, you can usually figure out the other oxidation numbers from there.

[Ivy Tan 1E]

I don't think oxidation numbers will be provided. You probably have to memorize the oxidation states of common elements such as oxygen (-2) and hydrogen (+1). For other elements, you should be able to find the oxidation states given the ones you've memorized. Hope this helps!

[Gian Boco 2G]

Use the general rules for O and H as well as the charges shown and we should be fine

[Lizbeth Garcia 1F]

You should be fine knowing the basic oxidation rules for Oxygen, Hydrogen and halogens. At least, I belive so since with these 3 you should be able to find the oxidation states of the other parts.

[gabbi_r2C]

I think you should know how to solve for the oxidation states in a given compound. If no compound or otherwise telling information is provided, then the oxidation number itself (if not H or O, since those are common) should be given.

[Giselle_zamora_1L]

10/10 recommend learning how to solve them. Its so much easier because they fluctuate in reactions

[Karen Elrayes 1L]

I don't think there's a need to memorize. Just know that group one elements are always +1 and Oxygen is -2 and you should be able to figure it out

[Jacob Schwarz-Discussion 3I]

Definitely memorize that oxygen is -2 and hydrogen is 1. Besides that, you should be fine!

[Ashley Wagner 2A]

The oxidation numbers are found by solving for them using O and H. So I think knowing only O and H is ok.

[Randi Ruelas 1G]

I believe you have to know the main ones like Oxygen, hydrogen, etc. However I know that there are easy oxidation number lists on google that you can memorize for certain elements. What helps me is knowing that most of the element's oxidation numbers correspond to their charge on the periodic table, with few exceptions :)

[Samir 3I]

You are good to go if you know the oxidation numbers for the major molecules such as Oxygen Hydrogen that we saw in lecture or on the homework.

[Edgar Velazquez 2K]

As long as you know the simpler rules involving atoms like oxygen, hydrogen, etc, then you should be able to figure out most oxidation numbers. I assume they would only be provided if it's an extremely complex molecule.

[rita_debbaneh2G]

I think there are some that you would just know by heart (like H or Cl for example) and others that change given the compound that they're in.

[tholz11]

I'd memorize the following information:
1. Any pure element has an oxidation state of zero.

2. The sum of the oxidation states of all atoms forming a molecule or ion is the net charge of that species.

3. In their compounds, group-1 metals have an oxidation state of +1 In their compounds, group-2 metals have an oxidation state of +2

4. In its compounds, fluorine always has an oxidation state of -1

5. In their compounds, hydrogen atoms have an oxidation state of +1 , except when combined with group-1 or group-2 metals.

6. In its compounds, oxygen atoms normally have an oxidation state of -2 , except in compounds in which O is bonded to O (peroxides)

7. In binary compounds with metals,
• group 17 elements have oxidation state -1
• group 16 elements have oxidation state -2
• group 15 elements have oxidation state -3

[Neha Jonnalagadda 2D]

Normally oxidation numbers are not provided and you can usually figure the oxidation number out from the periodic table in most cases.

[Ruirui Lan]

Hi! I think you'll be fine remembering the oxidation states of some basic elements, and for some unusual elements in a compound you can basically use what you know for the other elements in the compound to know the oxidation state of that particular element. I think for basic elements knowing +1 K Na Ag H, +2 Ca Mg Ba Cu Zn, +3Al +4 Si -1 F Cl -2 O S would be fine

[405490807]

You will need to memorize them but just knowing oxygen and hydrogen you should be good

[Skylar Lo 2C]

I think we need to memorize them. There're a couple that should come up frequently like H or O.

[Sarah Hong 2K]

You should know how to solve for oxidation numbers. For example if they give you MnO4-, you know that oxygens oxidation number is -2 and there are 4 oxygens so you do 4(-2) which is -8. The overall charge is -1, so you know that Mn+(-8)=-1, making the oxidation number of Mn is 7+.

[Barbara Soliman 1G]

I think we will need to know the general rules. From the general rules, you can figure out the oxidation number of any element by making sure all the elements add up to the overall charge of the molecule. Hope this helps!