UKC

..I probably need to find a chemistry forum.


Ionic charge is represented Element(n)+/- e.g Mg2+

But if it's oxidation state, say Mg in MgO it becomes Mg+2 O-2

Basically. If it's a ionic charge, you put the numeric value followed by positive/negative? But if it's oxidation state you put +/- followed by value?

is this correct? Sounds stupid but it's the sort of stuff you lose marks for.

In reply to Kemics:
Basic idea is right

Oxidation state is just what you imagine the charge would be if it was ionic (normally, I imagine this is a level so just take this as given)

You're right on the nomenclature otherwise.

In reply to Kemics:
For oxidation states you can often not bother with +/- at all, so for Iron 2+ or 3+ ions, we can use Fe(II) or Fe(III) as we know that only the positive forms exist. The roman numerals are just convention. This makes things alot easier as it gets more complicated.