OXIDATION STATE Meaning and
Definition
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Oxidation state, also known as oxidation number, refers to the hypothetical charge assigned to an atom in a chemical compound or ion. It is a measure of the electron gain or loss that an atom experiences when forming a bond with another atom. The oxidation state provides valuable information about the electron distribution and chemical reactivity of an element within a compound.
The oxidation state is determined by a set of rules based on the concept of electronegativity, which describes the attraction or tendency of an atom to accept or donate electrons. When atoms form a chemical bond, they tend to acquire a stable electron configuration similar to that of a noble gas. This results in an unequal sharing of electrons and the creation of positive or negative charges on the atoms. The oxidation state measures the imbalance of electrons, with positive values indicating loss of electrons (oxidation), and negative values suggesting gain of electrons (reduction).
Oxidation states can be assigned to elements, individual atoms, or groups of atoms in molecules, ions, or compounds. They are denoted by Roman numerals, like +2 for a +2 oxidation state, or by a plus or minus sign followed by a number, such as -3 or +4. The sum of the oxidation states in a neutral compound is zero, while in an ion, it equals the charge of the ion.
The oxidation state concept is fundamental in balancing redox reactions, understanding oxidation-reduction reactions, and predicting the behavior and reactivity of chemical species.
Common Misspellings for OXIDATION STATE
- ixidation state
- kxidation state
- lxidation state
- pxidation state
- 0xidation state
- 9xidation state
- ozidation state
- ocidation state
- odidation state
- osidation state
- oxudation state
- oxjdation state
- oxkdation state
- oxodation state
- ox9dation state
- ox8dation state
- oxisation state
- oxixation state
- oxication state
Etymology of OXIDATION STATE
The word "oxidation" originated from the Latin word "oxidāre", which means "to oxidize" or "to combine with oxygen". It is derived from the Latin word "oxydasis", which means "a gradual change to acid". The term "state" comes from the Old French word "estat", which means "position" or "condition". Therefore, the term "oxidation state" refers to the condition or position of an element within a compound considering its oxidation level or the number of electrons it has gained or lost.
Similar spelling word for OXIDATION STATE
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