The oxidation state, sometimes referred to as oxidation number, describes the degree of oxidation of an atom in a chemical compound.
<u>Explanation:</u>
The oxidation number of an atom is the charge that atom would have if the compound was composed of ions. 1. The oxidation number of an atom is zero in a neutral substance that contains atoms of only one element. The oxidation number of simple ions is equal to the charge on the ion.
The oxidation number of a mono atomic ion equals the charge of the ion. The oxidation number of H is +1, but it is -1 in when combined with less electro negative elements. The oxidation number of O in compounds is usually -2, but it is -1 in peroxides. The oxidation number of a Group 1 element in a compound is +1.
