oxidation state
noun
: a positive or negative number that represents the effective charge of an atom or element and that indicates the extent or possibility of its oxidation
the usual oxidation state of sodium is +1 and of oxygen −2
called also oxidation number
Examples of oxidation state in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The difference lies in what chemists call the oxidation state, which indicates how reactive a substance is.
—
George Johnson, Discover Magazine, 25 Mar. 2013
The researchers found that a change in the oxidation state of the element chromium (from chromium 6 to chromium 3) was linked to the darkening of chrome yellow paint.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2011
The work suggests that a few chemical treatments might help leach away some of the heavy metals and convert the iron into an oxidation state more similar to that seen in typical Earth soils.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 12 May 2022
In addition, the vanadium ions can change their oxidation state during this process as well.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 4 Sep. 2020
The color depends on the oxidation state of the iron atom bound to the muscle.
—Popular Science, 1 Jan. 2019
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George Johnson, Discover Magazine, 25 Mar. 2013
The researchers found that a change in the oxidation state of the element chromium (from chromium 6 to chromium 3) was linked to the darkening of chrome yellow paint.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2011
The work suggests that a few chemical treatments might help leach away some of the heavy metals and convert the iron into an oxidation state more similar to that seen in typical Earth soils.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 12 May 2022
In addition, the vanadium ions can change their oxidation state during this process as well.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 4 Sep. 2020
The color depends on the oxidation state of the iron atom bound to the muscle.
—Popular Science, 1 Jan. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Oxidation state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxidation%20state. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
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