How to Find Oxidation Numbers (Rules and Examples)

Using a list of simple rules you’ll learn how to find the oxidation numbers for elements and compounds. More oxidation help at www.Breslyn.org (and get all my free chem video guides)!
For each rule there are examples and practice calculating oxidation numbers.
Note: at 3:01 the oxidation number for N in N2O should be +1.
More practice calculating oxidation number: • Finding Oxidation Numb...
Visit www.breslyn.org for more chemistry help and practice.
-- General Rules for Determining Oxidation Numbers --
1. In a neutral compound all oxidation numbers must add up to zero.
2. In an ion the all oxidation numbers must add up to the charge on the ion.
3. Free elements have an oxidation number of zero (e.g. Na, Fe, H2, O2, S8).
4. Fluorine (F) = -1
5. Group 1 = +1 Group 2 = +2
6.Hydrogen with Non-Metals = +1 Hydrogen with Metals (or Boron) = -1
7. Oxygen = -2 (except with Fluorine or Peroxides)
8. Group 17(7A) = -1 Group 16 (6A) = -2 Group 15 (5A) = -3
---
Full Explanations for compounds shown in video:
CaC2: -
ClO3- : • How to find the Oxidat...
FeCl3: • How to find the Oxidat...
HCl: -
HF: • How to find the Oxidat...
H2O2: • How to find the Oxidat...
LiH: • How to find the Oxidat...
NaCl: • How to find the Oxidat...
N2O: • How to find the Oxidat...
Na2O2: -
NO: • How to find the Oxidat...
OF2: • How to find the Oxidat...
PF5: -
P4: • How to find the Oxidat...
NCl3: • Video

[@wbreslyn]

Note: at 3:01 the oxidation number for N in N2O should be +1. --- Dr. B

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Love Dr. B, these videos always explain allllll the things on my HW that I am confused about! Except for one thing at the very end of this video- N is in group 5A so it's ox. # should be -3, Cl is in group 7A so it's ox.# should be -1. How do you get the answer of +3 for N?? Do you follow the rule for one group over the other??

[@wbreslyn]

So N will have an ionic charge of 3- but it's oxidation number varies. In this case we use the rule that Cl is 1- (with a few exceptions). You might find my new (free) video guides on my website helpful, there is one on redox and oxidation numbers. ! www.Breslyn.org

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Thanks for the kind words! --- Dr. B

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Thanks, glad I could help with Oxidation numbers! --- Dr. B

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Excellent! --- Dr. B

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Glad it helped!
- Dr. B

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Glad I could help! --- Dr. B

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You are most welcome and glad I could help with oxidation numbers! --- Dr. B

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