what is general oxidation state?

• The oxidation state, sometimes referred to as oxidation number describes the degree of oxidation (loss of electrons) of an atom in a chemical compound.
• Conceptually, the oxidation state which may be positive, negative or zero is the hypothetical charge that an atom would have if all bonds to atoms of different elements were 100% ionic, with no covalent component.
• The term oxidation was first used by Antoine Lavoisier to signify reaction of substance with oxygen.
• Much later, it was realized that the substance, upon being oxidized, loses electrons, and the meaning was extended to include other reactions in which electrons are lost, regardless of whether oxygen was involved.
• Oxidation states are typically represented by integers which may be positive , zero, or negative.
• The increase in oxidation state of an atom, through a chemical reaction is known as an oxidation; a decrease in oxidation state is known as reduction.
• Such reaction involve the formal transfer of  electrons.
• A net gain in electrons being a reduction, and a net loss of electrons being an oxidation.For pure elements the oxidation state is zero.
• Example :
• hydrogen oxidation state +1, -1.
• fluorine oxidation state -1,
• silver oxidation state +1,+2,+3.