Question

can anyone explain the oxidation rules to me?

Answer 1

Each atom in a pure element has an oxidation number of zero.
2. For monatomic ions, the oxidation number is equal to the charge
on the ion.
3. Fluorine has an oxidation number of -1 in compounds
4. Cl, Br, and I have oxidation numbers of -1 in compounds except
with oxygen and fluorine.
5. The oxidation number of H is +1 and O is -2 in most compounds.
(There are some important exceptions.)
a. H has oxid # = -1 when with a metal
b. O has oxid # = -1 in peroxides: HOOH for example
6. The algebraic sum of the oxidation numbers in a compound must
be zero; in a polyatomic ion, the sum must equal the charge on the
ion.