If a polyatomic ion contains a -3 charge, what is the sum of oxidation numbers for that ion?

Study for the ACS Organic Chemistry Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

If a polyatomic ion contains a -3 charge, what is the sum of oxidation numbers for that ion?

Explanation:
Oxidation numbers inside a polyatomic ion add up to the ion’s overall charge. If the ion carries a -3 charge, the sum of all the oxidation states must be -3. So the total oxidation-number sum is -3. A sum of 0 would mean a neutral species, +3 would indicate an overall positive ion, and -1 would correspond to a singly negatively charged ion with charge -1.

Oxidation numbers inside a polyatomic ion add up to the ion’s overall charge. If the ion carries a -3 charge, the sum of all the oxidation states must be -3. So the total oxidation-number sum is -3. A sum of 0 would mean a neutral species, +3 would indicate an overall positive ion, and -1 would correspond to a singly negatively charged ion with charge -1.

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