Question

Post-lab: assigning oxidation numbers -/1 points assign the oxidation numbers for the atoms indicated:

a) oxygen -2
b) carbon
c) phosphorus
d) carbon

Answer 1

To assign oxidation numbers to atoms in a compound, use a set of rules, such as atoms in elemental state are 0, and atoms in monatomic ions are their charge. For oxygen it's usually -2, carbon and phosphorus can vary depending on the compound.

Step-by-step explanation:

To assign oxidation numbers to the atoms in a compound, we use a set of rules:

1. Atoms in their elemental state are assigned an oxidation number of 0.
2. Atoms in monatomic ions are assigned an oxidation number equal to their charge.
3. Fluorine is assigned -1, oxygen is usually assigned -2 (except in peroxide compounds and in compounds with fluorine), and hydrogen is usually assigned +1 (except in the hydride ion).
4. All other atoms in compounds are assigned oxidation numbers to ensure that the sum of the oxidation numbers equals the charge on the species.

Using these rules, the oxidation numbers for the atoms indicated are:

a) Oxygen: -2

b) Carbon: varies depending on the compound

c) Phosphorus: varies depending on the compound

d) Carbon: varies depending on the compound