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It is calculated by the relative electronegativity. Let's take HCl as an example. Chlorine is the more electronegative element, which partially attracts the electron shared by hydrogen. Hydrogen has partially donated an electron. Therefore in HCl, hydrogen and chlorine have +1 and -1 oxidation numbers respectively.

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What does oxidation number for an element tell you?

The oxidation number of an element tells you the charge that the element would have if electrons were transferred completely during the formation of a compound. It can help to determine the type of chemical reactions that an element is likely to undergo.


What does the oxidation number tell about an ionic bond?

The oxidation number of an element in an ionic bond indicates its charge when it gains or loses electrons to achieve a stable octet. By comparing the oxidation numbers of the elements involved, you can determine how many electrons each element has gained or lost in the formation of the bond.


What does the oxidation number of an element tell you?

The oxidation number tells you the "combining power" of that element. For example, if Cu has a 1+ oxidation number then it will combine with Cl in a 1:1 ratio, and result in CuCl. If Cu has an oxidation number of 2+, then it will combine with Cl in a 1:2 ratio, and result in CuCl2.


Can the oxidation number of an element in a compound be a fraction?

No. it can't be fractional. However you can get fractional answers uch as Fe in Fe3O4 where the average oxidation state is 2.666.... You need to know something about the structure that will tell you what oxidation numbers of the Fe in this case two Fe with +3 and one Fe with +2 in each formula unit.


What does the ( ) or (-) oxidation number tell you about an ion?

Its electric charge polarity. If (+) it is missing electrons, if (-) it has extra electrons.


What does the atomic number tell you about the parts of the element?

The atomic number of an element tells you the number of protons and neutrons that element has. Since an atom has a neutral charge, the number of electrons must equal the number of protons, so you can also tell the number of electrons that element has.


What does the positive or negative oxidation number tell you about an ion?

The positive oxidation number indicates the number of electrons an ion has lost, while the negative oxidation number indicates the number of electrons gained. The oxidation number provides information on the charge of the ion and its ability to form chemical bonds.


What does an element's atomic number tell about that emelent?

The number of protons in each nucleus of an atom of the element. Also if this element is an atom and not an ion (has no charge) the Atomic number is equal to the number of electrons in its quantum shells


What does the oxidation number tell you about an ion?

It tells u how many of that ion there is for that substance or item. Have a great day.


What does the atomic number of an element tell you about the element?

Atomic number = Number of protons


Element's atomic number tell about that element?

The atomic number tells you the number of protons in the nucleus of that element.


How can tell if an element has been oxidized or reduced in a reaction?

If an element has gained electrons, it has been reduced. If an element has lost electrons, it has been oxidized. This can be determined by comparing the oxidation state of the element before and after the reaction.