What is the oxidation state of an element?
the total number of protons an atom can gain or lose during a chemical reaction
the total number of electrons an atom loses or gains during a chemical reaction
the number of elements oxygen can bond with to form a compound
the process an atom undergoes when it gains or loses electrons to form a bond
2 answers
the total number of electrons an atom loses or gains during a chemical reaction?
I would not have chosen that one. I think what you've names is the process of oxidation/reduction. That is the loss or gain of electrons. I would go with b. For example,
Cl2 +2e ==> 2Cl^- is a half reaction for Cl2. The oxidation state of Cl in Cl2 is zero. IN Cl^- each Cl is -1 oxidation state. Maybe I've been doing it wrong all these years.
Actually I don't like any of the definitions but I think b comes the closest. Here is what I found on Wikipedia.
Cl2 +2e ==> 2Cl^- is a half reaction for Cl2. The oxidation state of Cl in Cl2 is zero. IN Cl^- each Cl is -1 oxidation state. Maybe I've been doing it wrong all these years.
Actually I don't like any of the definitions but I think b comes the closest. Here is what I found on Wikipedia.
1 answer