because of the inability to do subscripts and powers and the like it makes it a bit tricky to determine what you mean with the +1 and the 2s etc.
it also helps if you know the charges.
but here are sum rules to help you out:
- the oxidation number of an element is 0. eg. O2, O3, Br2, Na, Cu, N2, all = 0
- if the molecule is neutral then the oxidation number is 0. eg. O2 = 0
- the oxidation number of a simple ion is the charge on the ion. eg. the oxidation number of Fe^2+ = 2
- the sum of the oxidation numbers of all the atoms in a complex ion is numerically equal to the charge of the ion. eg. NO3^1- = -1
sorry i wasn't able to work out the oxidation numbers you need. its 5am and my yet-to-be-completed assignment is due today.... need to get a wriggle on..
