Question detail
What is the oxidation state of oxygen in H2O?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Oxidation, reduction and redox equations
Question
- A. 0
- B. -1
- C. -2
- D. +2
Answer
The oxidation state of oxygen in H2O is -2.
Explanation
According to standard oxidation state rules, oxygen typically has an oxidation state of -2 in compounds. In H2O, each hydrogen has an oxidation state of +1, leading to the overall charge being neutral.
Common mistake
Oxidation State Assignment Error
Students often incorrectly assign oxidation states to elements in compounds, particularly in complex ions, by not following the standard rules accurately.
To fix this, remember the standard rules for assigning oxidation states: the oxidation state of an element in its elemental form is 0, the oxidation state of a monoatomic ion is equal to its charge, and in compounds, the sum of oxidation states must equal the overall charge of the compound or ion. For example, in sulfate (SO4^2-), assign oxidation states as follows: S = +6 (since O is -2 and there are four O atoms, contributing -8, thus S must be +6 to balance to -2). Therefore, the oxidation state of sulfur in sulfate is +6.
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