what is the oxidation number of a single oxygen in hydrogen peroxide, h₂o₂?\n+2\n+4\n-1\n+3\n-3\n-5\n0\n+1\n…

what is the oxidation number of a single oxygen in hydrogen peroxide, h₂o₂?\n+2\n+4\n-1\n+3\n-3\n-5\n0\n+1\n-4\n-2\n+5

Answer

Hydrogen usually has an oxidation number of +1 in compounds. Let the oxidation number of oxygen in $H_2O_2$ be $x$.

For a neutral molecule $H_2O_2$, the sum of the oxidation numbers of all atoms is 0. So, $2\times(+ 1)+2x = 0$.

First, expand the left - hand side: $2 + 2x=0$. Then, subtract 2 from both sides: $2x=-2$. Divide both sides by 2: $x = - 1$.

C. -1