Complete the exercises below. Name the following compounds and assign oxidation states to the halogens in them: a. KClO₃, b. Ca(IO₃)₂.

Oxidation states, or oxidation numbers, are a way to keep track of electrons in chemical compounds. They indicate the degree of oxidation of an atom in a substance, helping to determine how electrons are transferred in redox reactions. The oxidation state of an element in a compound can be positive, negative, or zero, depending on its electron gain or loss relative to its elemental form.

Naming compounds involves using systematic rules to assign names based on their chemical composition. For ionic compounds, the cation (positive ion) is named first, followed by the anion (negative ion). In the case of polyatomic ions, such as chlorate in KClO₃, specific naming conventions apply, which are essential for accurately identifying the compound.

Polyatomic ions are ions composed of two or more atoms covalently bonded, which carry a net charge. Common examples include sulfate (SO₄²⁻) and nitrate (NO₃⁻). Understanding polyatomic ions is crucial for naming compounds and determining oxidation states, as they often influence the overall charge and structure of the compound.