Question

what is the oxidation number of an element?
a. the group number for the element
b. the number of atoms of an element in a formula
c. the charge an element would have if it lost or gained electrons
d. the number of valence electrons an element has

Explanation:

The oxidation number represents the charge an element would have if it lost or gained electrons in a compound - either through ionic - bonding or the unequal sharing of electrons in covalent - bonding. It is not the group number, number of atoms in a formula, or number of valence electrons.

Answer:

C. The charge an element would have if it lost or gained electrons