An oxidation number is a value assigned to an element in a chemical compound that represents its degree of oxidation (loss of electrons). It helps in determining how electrons are distributed among the atoms in the compound.
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Oxidation numbers are used to keep track of electron transfers in redox reactions.
The oxidation number of an atom in its elemental form is always zero.
Oxygen usually has an oxidation number of -2, except in peroxides where it is -1 and in compounds with fluorine where it is positive.
Hydrogen typically has an oxidation number of +1 when bonded with non-metals and -1 when bonded with metals.
The sum of the oxidation numbers in a neutral molecule must be zero, while in a polyatomic ion, it must equal the charge on the ion.
A chemical reaction involving the transfer of electrons between two species. It consists of two half-reactions: one for reduction and one for oxidation.