Definitions from the Web
Oxidation Number
Definition:
The oxidation number, also known as oxidation state, is a concept used in chemistry to indicate the degree of oxidation or reduction of an atom in a compound. It represents the hypothetical charge assigned to an atom if all bonds were purely ionic.
Senses:
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Chemical Sense: The numerical representation of the electron distribution around an atom, indicating its tendency to gain or lose electrons.
Example sentence: The oxidation number of oxygen in water is -2.
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Mathematical Sense: A positive or negative whole number assigned to an element or compound to indicate its degree of oxidation.
Example sentence: The oxidation number of sulfur in H2SO4 is +6.
Usages:
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Chemical Usage: Oxidation numbers are used to determine whether a chemical reaction is an oxidation or reduction process.
Example sentence: The decrease in the oxidation number of iron from Fe2+ to Fe indicates the reduction of iron in the reaction.
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Environmental Usage: Oxidation numbers are utilized to evaluate the oxidation state of elements in environmental samples, aiding in the study of pollution and natural processes.
Example sentence: By analyzing the oxidation numbers of mercury in soil samples, researchers can measure the extent of environmental mercury contamination.
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