zero, it equals zero
Oxidation numbers are very important in much of chemistry because many times atoms do lose or gain electrons. When this happens, they become ions.However, oxidation numbers are especially important when writing chemical formulas for ionic compounds.
The oxidation numbers of the elements in a chemical formula, some of which will be positive and others of which will be negative, when multiplied by the numbers of atoms with each oxidation number, must produce products that add to a net result of zero.
Chemical formulas are written with the chemical symbol of each element followed by a subscript. If no subscript is written, it is understood to be 1. In a molecular formula, the subscripts indicate the number of atoms of each element that are present in one molecule. In a chemical formula for an ionic compound, the subscripts represent the lowest whole number ratio of ions in the compound.
The oxidation numbers in PO43- , phosphorus oxidation number=+5; oxygen = -2
There are two oxidation numbers. P shows +5 oxidation number.
Oxidation numbers are very important in much of chemistry because many times atoms do lose or gain electrons. When this happens, they become ions.However, oxidation numbers are especially important when writing chemical formulas for ionic compounds.
The oxidation numbers of the elements in a chemical formula, some of which will be positive and others of which will be negative, when multiplied by the numbers of atoms with each oxidation number, must produce products that add to a net result of zero.
Formulas for compounds
Chemical formulas are written with the chemical symbol of each element followed by a subscript. If no subscript is written, it is understood to be 1. In a molecular formula, the subscripts indicate the number of atoms of each element that are present in one molecule. In a chemical formula for an ionic compound, the subscripts represent the lowest whole number ratio of ions in the compound.
Before involving any chemical reactions or bonds, an atom has an oxidation number of zero. Accepting electrons will lower the oxidation number to negative numbers. Discharging electrons such as metals will result in positive oxidation numbers.
subscripts
subscripts
subscripts
subscripts
subscripts
They are used to write balanced chemical equations.
These numbers are called coefficients (number of atoms and molecules)