Question

Is oxidation state of metals in amalgams 0 .If yes why ?

Answer 1

Amalgam means mercury which has a high reduction potential than most of the metals , hence it has the tendency to reduce the metals when amalgamation is carried out

Answer 2

i have always heard that the oxidation state of metal in amalgams is always zero.
but i never asked why,
nice question you asked .., really

i think just as we have a convention that the oxidation state of an element in it's elemental form or basic or native form is taken to be 0,
similarly we take the oxidation state in amalgams to be 0

bec, say we take sodium amalgam
in that, sodium is in it's native form or as Na only.,

i am not sure,
i could not find it on the internet as well

i think this could be a possible expalination.

Answer 3

Because the metals are in their elemental state - both of you are right.

Answer 4

an amalgam is similar to an alloy. elements are combined in their elemental states, so the oxidation states are all zero. dental amalgams usually have mercury and\or silver, which can be mixed in any ratios, so it also has no fixed formula