Chapter 20, Problem 39A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The term oxidation number is to be explained.

Concept introduction: Oxidation number is necessary in determining how a reaction is taking place and also for naming the reactants involved in a chemical reaction.

Answer to Problem 39A

Zero, positive, and negative numbers that are assigned to reactants species to track the electron flow is oxidation number.

Explanation of Solution

A chemical reaction proceeds by the loss and gain of electrons by the reactants involved in the reaction. In order to track the progress of certain chemical reactions an imaginary number is assigned to the reactants. Thereby, the complexity of chemical reactions is reduced.

Zero, positive, and negative numbers that are assigned to reactants species to track the electron flow is oxidation number. When electrons are lost (oxidation) from a species positive numbers are given while if electrons are gained (reduction) negative numbers are given. And, the reactants that don't involve any change in electron count are assigned with the number zero. In this way oxidation numbers help to track chemical reactions, especially redox reactions.