WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE OXIDATION NUMBERS OF AN ELEMENT IF ITS ATOMIC NUMBER IS 17

• A. -1 and 7 ✓
• B. -1 and 6
• C. -3 and 5
• D. -2 and 6

The answer to the question is: A. -1 and 7

The possible oxidation numbers of an element can be determined by considering its position in the periodic table and its electron configuration. In the case of an element with an atomic number of 17, which corresponds to chlorine (Cl), the possible oxidation numbers are -1 and 7.

Chlorine is a halogen located in Group 17 (formerly Group VIIA) of the periodic table. Elements in this group, including fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine, typically have an oxidation number of -1 when they form compounds. This is because they have seven valence electrons and tend to gain one electron to achieve a stable octet configuration, resulting in an oxidation state of -1.

However, under certain conditions, chlorine can exhibit an oxidation number of +7. This occurs in compounds where chlorine is bonded to highly electronegative elements such as oxygen or fluorine. In these cases, chlorine can achieve a full octet by accepting electrons from other elements, leading to an oxidation state of +7.

Therefore, the possible oxidation numbers of an element with an atomic number of 17 (chlorine) are -1 and 7.