What is the oxidation number of chromium in K2CrO4?

The oxidation number of an element is the charge it would have in a compound if electrons were completely transferred. In K₂CrO₄, the compound is neutral (has no net charge) so we can determine the oxidation number of chromium by adding up the oxidation numbers of all the atoms in the compound and setting the sum equal to zero. The oxidation number of K (potassium) is +1 since it is an alkali metal and forms a +1 ion in compounds. The oxidation number of O (oxygen) is -2 since it usually forms -2 ions in compounds, except in peroxides where it is -1. Let x be the oxidation number of chromium (Cr). So we have: 2(+1) + x + 4(-2) = 0 Simplifying this equation gives: x - 6 = 0 x = +6 Therefore, the oxidation number of chromium in K₂CrO₄ is +6.