can anybody explain to me how oxidation numbers work?

Question

abb0t · Answer

What about them? Can you be a little more specific.

anonymous · Answer

How do you assign oxidation numbers to formulas... i dont understand them....

abb0t · Answer

for example: $\sf \color{}{K_2C_2O_4}$ the oxidation state of each element? or in general the whole molecyle.

abb0t · Answer

Because, there's quite a few you need to memorize at first, there's the common polyatomic ions, as well as halogens, and 1st colum and 2nd colum elements.

abb0t · Answer

For instance, this molecule is neutral. You already know oxygen generally has an oxi state of -2, and potassium = +1, and you know the molecule is neutral! Theretore, carbon must have +1, because -2+2 = 0

anonymous · Answer

woow...... your a smart dude abb0t... thanks man, that should help me significantly....