Ion Formation and Oxidation Numbers

Kelsey Ward

Teresa Chan

Jordan Allen

Carl Evans

Sam Pape

Background Ion formation is caused when an atom loses or

gains electrons in its outer shell Oxidation number is how many electrons it lost or

gained

When an atom gains or loses electrons it forms ions. Losing electrons makes it positive a positive oxidation number and gaining them makes it negative.

Explaining the Relationship

A single electron in the outer energy level has less attraction towards the nucleus than an atom with the outermost energy level almost full. When forming an ion, atoms with an almost full outermost energy level take electrons from atoms with a single electron in the outermost energy level. The Oxidation number is the result of ion formations.

Figuring Out Oxidation Numbers

Example: N2O3 a. N is +, O is -b. N is most likely +5, O is most likely be -2c. The oxidation numbers add up to 2(+5) + 3(-2) = +4. But the molecule is neutral.

http://www.chemistrycoach.com/oxno.htm

As the number of rows increases the likelihood for them to gain an electron increases. This is because there are less electrons in the outer shell in the first column because it increases. For example, an atom in the 1A column would be likely to lose its electron to an atom in the 17A column.