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11 grade chemistry others

Oxidation number of oxygen in {{O}_{2}} molecule is (A) +1(B) 0 (C) +2(D) -2

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1 Year agoGrade
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Profile image of Askiitians Tutor Team
1 Year ago

In a molecule of {{O}_{2}}, the oxygen atoms are bonded together by a double bond. The oxidation number represents the hypothetical charge that an atom would have if all the bonds in the molecule were purely ionic.

Since oxygen is more electronegative than most other elements, it tends to draw electrons towards itself, resulting in a partial negative charge. However, in a molecule like {{O}_{2}}, the electrons are shared equally between the two oxygen atoms, so neither oxygen atom has a complete transfer of electrons.

The oxidation number of an atom in a neutral molecule is defined as zero. Therefore, the oxidation number of oxygen in {{O}_{2}} is 0, option (B).