When an atom forms an ion.When gaining or giving eletrons.
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The oxidation number of an atom is determined by the number of electrons it gains, loses, or shares when forming a chemical bond. The rules for assigning oxidation numbers are based on the electronegativity of the elements and the structure of the compound. Generally, less electronegative elements have more positive oxidation numbers, while more electronegative elements have more negative oxidation numbers.
The oxidation number of each carbon atom in C6H8O6 is +4. Each hydrogen atom has an oxidation number of +1, and each oxygen atom has an oxidation number of -2.
The oxidation number for hydrogen in a neutral atom is 0.
The oxidation number of acetate (CH3COO-) is -1. The carbon atom has an oxidation number of +3, each hydrogen atom has an oxidation number of +1, and the oxygen atoms have an oxidation number of -2.
In S2Cl2, each sulfur atom has an oxidation number of 0, and each chlorine atom has an oxidation number of -1.
The oxidation number of an atom is the charge that the atom would have if electrons were transferred completely. It is used to keep track of the electron transfer in chemical reactions. The oxidation number can be positive, negative, or zero depending on the electron transfer.