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jeanbean
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what is the difference between oxidation number and ionic charges? I realize they are written differently, +1 vs. 1+, but how can I reasonably explain the differnces to 17 year olds (and myself?)?
The oxidation number of an element is a measure of the number of electrons it has lost or gained in a chemical reaction, compared to its original state.
Oxidation number is a theoretical concept that describes the electron distribution in a compound, while ionic charge is a measurable property of an ion based on the number of electrons it has gained or lost.
Yes, an element can have different oxidation numbers in different compounds. This is because the oxidation number is dependent on the chemical environment and the other elements it is interacting with in a compound.
The oxidation number can be determined by following a set of rules based on the periodic table and the chemical formula of the compound. These rules include assigning a value to each element based on its electronegativity and the number of electrons it has gained or lost.
Oxidation number is closely related to the chemical reactivity of an element. Generally, elements with a higher oxidation number are more reactive as they have a greater tendency to gain or lose electrons to achieve a more stable state.