What is the oxidation number of mercury?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the oxidation number of mercury, which is a concept in chemistry that indicates the degree of oxidation of an atom in a compound.
Answer
+1 and +2
The oxidation numbers of mercury are +1 and +2.
Answer for screen readers
The oxidation numbers of mercury are +1 and +2.
More Information
Mercury's oxidation states are primarily +1 (as in Hg2^2+, the mercurous ion) and +2 (as in various mercuric compounds).
Tips
Be cautious not to confuse the elemental state (Hg^0) with the oxidation states (+1 and +2) in compounds.
Sources
- ChemistryTalk - Mercury Element - chemistrytalk.org
- Periods Table of the Elements - Oxidation Numbers - coolperiodictable.com
- Mercury - Principal Compounds - Britannica - britannica.com
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