Oxidation Numbers

[Mya Majewski 1L]

How do we know which elements have an oxidation number of 0 like O2 and Cl2? Is there a trick to knowing which elements have an oxidation state of 0?

[Albert_Luu3K]

For elements like O2 and Cl2, they will always have an oxidation state of zero because they are neutral diatomics. One oxygen atom can't be a negative 2 charge and the other atom be a positive 2 charge. If the elements are solids, liquids, or it is some sort of diatomic molecule, the oxidation states should be zero.

[megan blatt 2B]

The oxidation numbers will be zero for elements in their natural state. O2 and Cl2 are found naturally as diatomic gas molecules so when in that form, they will have an oxidation state of zero. If metals like Zn are in their natural solid state, then they will also have an oxidation number of zero.

[Cynthia Aragon 1B]

The oxidation number of an atom is zero in a neutral substance that contains atoms of only one element. Thus, the atoms in O2, O3, P4, S8, and aluminum metal all have an oxidation number of 0.