Finding Oxidation Numbers: Mastering a Critical Chemical Skill
Determining the oxidation number of an element is a fundamental aspect of chemistry that aids in understanding the behavior and reactivity of chemical species. In essence, the oxidation number represents the hypothetical charge an atom would possess if all bonds to neighboring atoms were ionic. Consider the classic example of carbon monoxide (CO). Here, the oxidation number of carbon is +2, indicating its tendency to form two bonds with electronegative oxygen atoms.
