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The oxidation number of U in UO2 is Option 1: +2 Option 2: +4 Option 3: +6 Option 4: -2

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Answer: +4

Explanation:

Firstly, we know that Oxygen should have an oxidation number of -2. This is because according to oxidation rules, Oxygen's number will always be -2 unless it is a part of a peroxide and then it will be -1 (ex: H2O2). UO2 is not a peroxide, so the regular rules will apply.

We also know that oxidation numbers in a molecule with no charge should add up to zero. There are two oxygen molecules which makes their total oxidation numbers equal to -4. Therefore, whatever U's oxidation number is should cancel out that -4 to make the total number 0.

So, U's oxidation number should be +4 since -4+4=0.

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