Question

The oxidation number of lead (Pb) in the compound PbCl2 has to be ____

please answer this AND explain how I would go about getting the answer/how to solve for the answer

Answer 1

Let x be the oxidation number of Pb.
Oxidation number of Cl is - 1 and net charge of PbCl2 is 0.
Therefore,
X + 2(-1) = 0
X = +2.
Hence oxidation number of Pb is +2.

Hope this helps you!