What is defined as the charge an atom would have in a compound if its bonding electrons were assigned to the more electronegative atom?

a) reduction number

b) valence

c) oxidation number

d) electropositivity

C

Explanation:

The oxidation number of an atom is zero in a neutral substance that contains atoms of only one element. However, in an ionic compound, one element's atoms (especially metals) donate their valence electron (s) to the other element's atoms forming ionic bonds. This way, they achieve stable electron configuration. The oxidation number of an atom in this ionic bond will depend on how many valence electrons are lost (to produce positive oxidation number) or gained (to produce negative oxidation number).