What is the oxidation number of oxygen in hydrogen peroxide ()?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. -1
- Step 1: Hydrogen has an oxidation state of , contributing .
- Step 2: For the neutral peroxide molecule, the two oxygen atoms must balance the charge: .
Answer
-1.
Why not the others: '-2' is the oxidation state of oxygen in ordinary oxides and water; '0' is the oxidation state of elemental molecular oxygen (); '+2' is the oxidation state in oxygen difluoride ().
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