In a neutral compound, what is the total sum of oxidation numbers?

In a neutral compound, what is the total sum of oxidation numbers?

• A. +1
• B. zero
• C. -1
• D. +2

Answer: (B)

In a neutral compound, the oxidation numbers are assigned so that their total matches the overall charge of the species. Since a neutral compound has no overall charge, the sum of all oxidation numbers must be zero. For example, in water each hydrogen is +1 and oxygen is -2, giving (+1) + (+1) + (-2) = 0. In sodium chloride, sodium is +1 and chlorine is -1, again totaling zero. This is why the total oxidation-number sum for a neutral compound is zero; for ions the sum would equal the ion’s charge, such as sulfate with a total of -2.

In a neutral compound, the oxidation numbers are assigned so that their total matches the overall charge of the species. Since a neutral compound has no overall charge, the sum of all oxidation numbers must be zero. For example, in water each hydrogen is +1 and oxygen is -2, giving (+1) + (+1) + (-2) = 0. In sodium chloride, sodium is +1 and chlorine is -1, again totaling zero. This is why the total oxidation-number sum for a neutral compound is zero; for ions the sum would equal the ion’s charge, such as sulfate with a total of -2.