Chemistry Examples

$M g H_{2}$

Step 1

Since $M g$ is in column $2$ of the periodic table, it will share $2$ electrons and use an oxidation state of $2$ .

$M g = 1 (2) = 2$

Step 2

Since $H$ is in column $1$ of the periodic table, it will share $1$ electrons and use an oxidation state of $1$ .

$H = 2 (- 7) = - 14$

Step 3

This is the full list of oxidation states for this molecule.

$M g = 2, H = - 14$