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Meaning, importance and examples of oxidation numbers

Answer Text:
Oxidation numbers/ oxidation state.
- Is the apparent charge that atoms have in molecules or ions.
- For monoatomic ions, the oxidation number (state) is the magnitude and sign of charge;
Example:
Oxidation no of Aluminium in #Al^(3+)# is +3;
Importance of oxidation numbers:
- Helps in keeping track of electron movement in redox reactions; hence determination of the reduced and oxidized species.
Oxidation and reduction in terms of oxidation numbers
-Oxidation
- Is an increase in oxidation number.
-Reduction
- Refers to a decrease in oxidation number