Question

In ${\mathrm{MnO}}_4^{-}$ What is the oxidation number of Mn?

Answer 1

• The oxidation number is also known as the oxidation state, is the total number of electrons that an atom either gains or loses in order to form a chemical bond with another atom.
• In ${\mathrm{MnO}}_4^{-}$,
• The oxidation number of $\mathrm{O}$ is $-2$ and let the oxidation number of $\mathrm{Mn}$ be $x$.
• $$\begin{gathered} x+(-2\times 4)=-1 \\ x-8=-1 \\ x=-1+8 \\ x=+7 \end{gathered}$$

Hence, the oxidation number of $\mathrm{Mn}$ is $+7$.