- #1
RichRobX
- 11
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In a redox reaction I found, Hydrogen Peroxide (H202) was taken as having an oxidation state of zero
However my chemistry teacher keeps telling me that oxygen ALWAYS has an oxidation state of -2 so that would mean the hydrogen in H202 must have an oxidation state of +2 to keep the molecule neutral. Since this +2 can only come from the loss of 2 electrons how is it possible for hydrogen, which when neutral has 1 electron, to lose 2 electrons and become +2?
Please forgive my ignorance on all chemistry matters![Confused :confused: :confused:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
However my chemistry teacher keeps telling me that oxygen ALWAYS has an oxidation state of -2 so that would mean the hydrogen in H202 must have an oxidation state of +2 to keep the molecule neutral. Since this +2 can only come from the loss of 2 electrons how is it possible for hydrogen, which when neutral has 1 electron, to lose 2 electrons and become +2?
Please forgive my ignorance on all chemistry matters