Application of oxidation number

[805969887]

I understand how to find oxidation numbers but how do they apply to my understanding of a molecule? What information does it tell me?

[Sheik Sahadat]

Hey there,
So the oxidation number is simply going to let you know how many electrons were lost or gained on an atom in order to bond with another. This lets you know if it becomes a cation or anion when bonded. If a compound has two elements that make a charge when bonded. We can also use what we know about the overall charge and one of the individual oxidation numbers to find the third. This helps us to keep track of where the electrons are in an atom. It can also help us name compounds, write formulas, and balance chemical equations. I hope this helps!