Question

what is the oxidation number of hydrogen in
1.H2O (water)
2. HCL
please answer step by step​

Answer 1

Answer:

1.) +1

. hydrogen is assigned in in oxidation number of +1 because each individual hydrogen has lost 1 electron. oxygen has oxidation number of +2 because the single oxygen atom has gained a total of two electrons.

2.) +1

. the sum of oxidation numbers in a compound is zero. show the oxidation number of the compound HCL is zero.

Answer 2

Let's Start From The Basics,

=> An oxidation number indicates how oxidized or how reduced an element present in a compound or an ion is.

=> In any compound the net charge or the sum of the individual positive or negative oxidation states is always zero.

Coming to the answers,

1) H2O

=> Net Charge = 0

=> We know that the oxidation state of O is generally -2. (Except in some rare cases such as peroxides).

=> Let the oxidation state of H in H2O be x.

=> Now, 2*x -2 = 0

=> 2x = 2

=> x = 2/2

=> x = +1

=> So, the oxidation state of H in H2O is +1.

2) HCl

=> Net Charge = 0

=> We know that the oxidation state of Cl is -1 except in some oxidizing agents. (HCl is not an oxidizing agent)

=> Let the oxidation state of H in HCl be x.

=> Now, x -1 = 0

=> x = 1

=> x = +1

=> So, the oxidation state of H in HCl is +1.