Question

question 2 of 10
what is the oxidation number of an element?
a. the group number for the element
b. the charge an element would have if it lost or gained electrons
c. the number of atoms of an element in a formula
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 complete transfer (ionic bonding) or unequal sharing (covalent bonding).

Answer:

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