Question

What is the oxidation number for potassium? Give an example.

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.

Example: Potassium oxide${\text{(K}}_{\text{2}}\text{O)}$

Calculating the oxidation number of Potassium(K) in Potassium oxide${\text{(K}}_{\text{2}}\text{O)}$:

The oxidation state of Oxygen(O) = -2

Consider the oxidation state of Potassium(K) = x

Now,

$$\begin{gathered} 2\left(\text{x}\right)\text{-2=0} \\ \text{x}=+1 \end{gathered}$$

Hence, the oxidation number for potassium in Potassium oxide is $+1$.