Question

What are the oxidation numbers of each element in $\mathrm{Ca}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_2$?

Answer 1

Oxidation number:

• "Oxidation number denotes the oxidation state of an element in a compound ascertained according to a set of rules formulated on the basis that electron pair in a covalent bond belongs entirely to a more electronegative element."

Oxidation numbers of each element in $\mathrm{Ca}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_2$:

• Calcium hydroxide is made up of Calcium $\left({\mathrm{Ca}}^{2+}\right)$ and hydroxide $\left({\mathrm{OH}}^{-}\right)$ ions.
• Calcium exists in $+2$ oxidation number, it belongs to alkaline earth metals.
• Hydrogen exists in $+1$ oxidation number while Oxygen exists in $-2$oxidation number.