Sodium oxide has the chemical formula Na2O. What is the oxidation number of oxygen in this compound? Provide your answer below: ___

The oxidation number of oxygen in this compound is -2.

Explanation:

For formation of a neutral ionic compound, the charges on cation and anion must be balanced. The cation is formed by loss of electrons by metals and anions are formed by gain of electrons by non metals.  

In , sodium is having an oxidation state of +1 called as cation and oxygen is an anion with oxidation state of -2. Thus they combine and their oxidation states are exchanged and written in simplest whole number ratios to give neutral

The cations and anions being oppositely charged attract each other through strong coloumbic forces and form an ionic bond.

explanation:

let the different atoms be x and y. each with four protons and same mass will be represented as follows.

mass number is number of protons + number of neutrons.

            and  

since, it is given that one has a negative charge while the other is neutral. therefore, there will be increase in number of protons and the atom will be represented as follows.

according to periodic table, mass number of beryllium is 9 and it has atomic number 4 so, the atoms will be and .  

the protons and neutrons will be located inside the nucleus whereas the electrons will be revolving around the nucleus.  

diaria maybe go see a doctor about that