What is the difference between oxidation and valence number?

Question

hi can someone explain to me the difference between oxidation and valence number?

from my understanding:
oxidation number is the charge an atom would have when it gains or loses electrons.
So for Chlorine, it would gain an electron, so it becomes -1 charged
and
valence number is simply the number of electrons an atom has on its outermost shell.
my other questions is : can you have a negative valence number?

Answer 1

Your definition of valence electrons is right, just the number of electrons in the outermost shell.

The oxidation number is a little different. Usually, it would come out to the charge if the outer most shell were filled, but that's not always the case. The best way to define it is the charge it would have if all the bonds were broken and the electrons separated according to electronegativity. An example would be easier to show.

H2O - for each OH bond, the O is more electronegative, so for each bond, the oxygen would take both electrons. Thus, the oxidation number for O is -2, while the H is +1. Easy enough to understand.

H2S - Same as above, for each SH bond, the S is more electronegative, so the oxidation number for S is (-2) and for H is (+1).

SF2 (sulfur difluoride) - This has the same linkage as H2O, with the sulfur attached to both fluorine atoms. For each SF bond, the fluorine is more electronegative, so it would take both electrons. Thus, the oxidation number for F is (-1) and for S is (+2), which is different from the oxidation number for S in H2S.

I hope that clears it up.

And for your other question, no, a valence number is always positive.

Answer 2

Valency And Oxidation Number

Answer 3

a million.Valence isn't charged, on an identical time as oxidation sort is charged (+) or (-) 2.Valence shows the flexibility of an ingredient to bond with yet another, while oxidation sort shows the kind of electrons donated or shared in a bond via the atom or the unconventional team.

Answer 4

oxidation has charge ie positive or negative while valence number has no charge