Oxidation numbers and ionic charges are distinct concepts in chemistry, primarily related to electron distribution in atoms. Oxidation numbers indicate the hypothetical charge an atom would have if all bonds were ionic, often used in covalent compounds to reflect the electron-to-proton ratio. In contrast, ionic charges represent the actual charge of an atom or ion in ionic compounds, where electrons are fully transferred between atoms. The key distinction lies in the nature of bonding: oxidation numbers apply to covalent compounds with shared electrons, while ionic charges apply to compounds with fully transferred electrons. The difference, while conceptually important, may not significantly impact practical understanding for students.