What is the oxidation state of an element?

Answer 1

In chemistry, the oxidation state is a number assigned to an element as an indicator of the degree of oxidation of an atom in a chemical compound.

"The charge an element would have if it were an ion "

Oxidation state is the same as the oxidation number. It is an indicator of the degree of oxidation of an atom in a chemical compound.

Answer 2

The oxidation state, or oxidation number, is a number assigned to an element in a chemical compound that represents the number of electrons lost or gained by an atom of that element in the compound.

Answer 3

The oxidation state of an element is the charge it would have if electrons were transferred completely from one atom to another. It is a measure of the degree of oxidation of an atom in a compound.

Answer 4

Molecules don't have oxidation states -- just atoms.

See the Related Questions to the left for more information about the oxidation state of an atom.

Answer 5

Variable oxidation state refers to (an element) having more than 1 oxidation states. e.g. Cobalt having oxidation states +2 & +3, similarly Fe having +2 & +3, Cr +2, +3 & +6

Answer 6

-2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 oxidation states

Answer 7

An oxidation state is a number that is assigned to an element in a chemical combination.

Answer 8

The oxidation number describes the net value of the tendency of giving away electrons to other atoms or ions, either fully or partially.

Answer 9

The charge an element would have if it lost or gained electrons.