Question:
The oxidation number of an element in a compound is evaluated on the basis
of certain rules. Which of the following rules is not correct in this respect?
(i) The oxidation number of hydrogen is always +1.
(ii) The algebraic sum of all the oxidation numbers in a compound is zero.
(iii) An element in the free or the uncombined state bears oxidation
number zero.
(iv) In all its compounds, the oxidation number of fluorine is – 1.
Solution:
Option (i) The oxidation number of hydrogen is always +1 is the answer.