you add all the oxidation numbers in a polyatomic ion, what should the sum be? A The sum should equal 0. B The sum should equal -1. C The sum should equal -2. D The sum should equal the charge on the ion.

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**Oxidation Numbers in Polyatomic Ions**

*Question:*

If you add all the oxidation numbers in a polyatomic ion, what should the sum be?

*Answer Choices:*

- **A.** The sum should equal 0.
- **B.** The sum should equal −1.
- **C.** The sum should equal −2.
- **D.** The sum should equal the charge on the ion.

*Explanation:*

Understanding oxidation numbers is crucial in the study of chemistry, particularly in redox reactions and balancing chemical equations. The oxidation number of an atom in a compound provides insight into the electron distribution and the degree of oxidation or reduction of the atom. When examining polyatomic ions, which are ions composed of two or more atoms covalently bonded, the sum of the oxidation numbers of all the atoms in the ion must equal the overall charge of the ion.

For example, let's consider the sulfate ion \( (SO_4^{2-}) \). The oxidation states of sulfur and oxygen must balance to equal the ion's overall charge of -2. Identifying these oxidation numbers helps chemists to predict the results of chemical reactions and understand the movement of electrons during these processes.
Transcribed Image Text:**Oxidation Numbers in Polyatomic Ions** *Question:* If you add all the oxidation numbers in a polyatomic ion, what should the sum be? *Answer Choices:* - **A.** The sum should equal 0. - **B.** The sum should equal −1. - **C.** The sum should equal −2. - **D.** The sum should equal the charge on the ion. *Explanation:* Understanding oxidation numbers is crucial in the study of chemistry, particularly in redox reactions and balancing chemical equations. The oxidation number of an atom in a compound provides insight into the electron distribution and the degree of oxidation or reduction of the atom. When examining polyatomic ions, which are ions composed of two or more atoms covalently bonded, the sum of the oxidation numbers of all the atoms in the ion must equal the overall charge of the ion. For example, let's consider the sulfate ion \( (SO_4^{2-}) \). The oxidation states of sulfur and oxygen must balance to equal the ion's overall charge of -2. Identifying these oxidation numbers helps chemists to predict the results of chemical reactions and understand the movement of electrons during these processes.
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