Question

Oxidation numbers are used to indicate the:

a) Charge on an ion.
b) Number of atoms or ions in a compound.
c) Type of bond holding particles together in a compound.
d) Distribution of electrons among the bonded particles in a compound.

Answer 1

Oxidation numbers are assigned to atoms in a compound to indicate their degree of oxidation or reduction. They are used to keep track of electrons during redox reactions. Oxidation numbers are assigned based on specific rules.

Step-by-step explanation:

Oxidation numbers are positive or negative numbers assigned to atoms in a compound to indicate their degree of oxidation or reduction. They are used to keep track of electrons in atoms during redox reactions. Oxidation numbers are assigned based on a set of rules:

1. Oxidation is an increase in oxidation number (loss of electrons), and reduction is a decrease in oxidation number (gain of electrons).
2. Hydrogen is usually assigned a +1 oxidation number, except when it is bonded to a more electronegative element, in which case it is assigned a -1 oxidation number.
3. Oxygen is usually assigned a -2 oxidation number, except in peroxides (-1 oxidation number) and when it is bonded to a more electronegative element (positive oxidation number).
4. The sum of the oxidation numbers in a neutral compound is zero, and in an ion is equal to the charge of the ion.

Answer 2

The correct answer is: d) distribution of electrons among the bonded particles in a compound.

a) charge on an ion is only one specific aspect of oxidation numbers, while they can also be used for neutral compounds.

b) number of atoms or ions in a compound is a different concept entirely, unrelated to oxidation states.

c) type of bond holding particles together in a compound can be related to oxidation states, but it's not the primary purpose.

d) distribution of electrons among the bonded particles in a compound is the core function of oxidation numbers. They represent the hypothetical charge an atom would have if all its bonds were purely ionic. This helps track the electron transfer in chemical reactions and understand the electronegativity differences between atoms.

Therefore, option d) is the most accurate description of what oxidation numbers indicate.