Oxidation Number Uses

[806063252]

How do you calculate the oxidation number, and what are the uses of finding out the oxidation number?

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You can look up rules for oxidation numbers because many elements can have multiple oxidation numbers. The halogens for example typically have an oxidation number of -1. Just as with formal charge, the sum of the oxidation numbers must equal the total charge of the molecule.

[Laurie Ganih 5F]

Furthermore, to calculate the oxidation number of a compound, you have to find the number that makes the individual oxidation numbers of the atoms of the compound equal to the formal charge of the compound. In a neutral compound, the formal charge would be 0. The oxidation number is helpful in showing how many electrons are gained or are lost.