Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Oxidation State:
Definition:
The number of electrons over which an
atom has partially or totally, lost or
gained control.
(A positive number denotes a loss of control)
Oxidation State
For example:
When forming an ion, what happens to a
sodium atom?
Na
Oxidation State
Example 2:
What happens to the bonded pair of electrons in
a hydrogen chloride molecule?
+
Cl
The Rules:
1. The oxidation state of elements is Zero.
2. For simple ions the oxidation state is equal to
the charge (but written sign then number e.g.
+1).
3. In compounds the oxidation states add to zero.
4. In ions containing more than one atom (e.g.
CO32-) the oxidation states of the atoms add up
to the charge.
5. Generally in compounds:
Oxygen = -2
Hydrogen = +1
Fluorine = -1
There are exceptions to these
2Na(s) + Cl2(g)
+1
2NaCl(s)
-1
Second example
Write the oxidation number of the atoms in this balanced
equation:
-4 +1
CH4(g) + 2O2(g)
CO2(g) + 2H2O(l)
On the left
Oxygen is an element so O.N.= 0
Hydrogen is in a compound so will be +1
CH4 has no overall charge so the O.N. must add to zero.
There are 4 Hydrogens, each of +1 therefore the carbon
must be -4
Second example
Write the oxidation number of the atoms in this balanced
equation:
-4 +1
CH4(g) + 2O2(g)
+4 -2
+1 -2
CO2(g) + 2H2O(l)
On the right
Oxygen is in compounds so O.N.= -2
Hydrogen is in a compound so will be +1
CO2 has no overall charge so the O.N. must add to zero.
There are 2 oxygens, each of -2 therefore the carbon
must be +4
Redox
Oxidation
Gain of oxygen
Loss of hydrogen
Loss of electrons
Increase in oxidation
number
Reduction
Loss of oxygen
Gain of hydrogen
Gain of electrons
Decrease in oxidation
number
Oxidised
-4 +1
CH4(g) + 2O2(g)
+4 -2
+1
-2
CO2(g) + 2H2O(l)
Reduced
Valency:
The number of electrons which an atom
needs to gain, lose or share in order to
have noble gas configuration.
Also:
Valency is the charge on an ion (ignoring
the sign).
Boron
Sulphur
Calcium
Silicon
Hydrogen
Mg
Mg
Mg O
Na
Na
Na S
2