how to write the oxidation number for CL4

I don't know what CL4 is? You may have meant Cl4. Chlorine exists in the free state as Cl2 and the oxidation number is zero for ANY element in the free state. .

To determine the oxidation number of an element, we need to follow a set of rules. Here's how you can write the oxidation number for Cl4:

1. Start by assuming that the oxidation number of Cl is x.
2. Since there are four chlorine atoms (Cl) in Cl4, we can set up the equation as x * 4 = 0 (since the overall charge of a compound is neutral).
3. Solve the equation: 4x = 0.
4. Divide both sides of the equation by 4: x = 0 / 4.
5. Therefore, the oxidation number of each chlorine atom in Cl4 is 0.

So, the oxidation number for Cl4 is 0.

To determine the oxidation number of chlorine (Cl) in the compound Cl4, we need to understand a few principles.

1. The sum of the oxidation numbers of all atoms in a compound is equal to the compound's overall charge. In this case, since Cl4 does not have a charge specified, we assume it is neutral, meaning the sum of the oxidation numbers should be zero.

2. The oxidation number of an element in its standard state is zero. So, as a starting point, we can assume that the oxidation number of each chlorine atom in Cl4 is zero.

3. Chlorine is in Group 17 of the periodic table and is known as a halogen. Halogens typically have an oxidation number of -1 when combined with other elements. However, chlorine can have positive oxidation numbers in certain compounds.

To determine the oxidation number of each chlorine atom in Cl4, we can set up an equation where x represents the oxidation number:

0 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 0 (sum of oxidation numbers = 0)

Since the compound is neutral and there are no other elements to balance out the oxidation numbers, each chlorine atom must have an oxidation number of zero in Cl4.

Therefore, the oxidation number for each chlorine atom in Cl4 is 0.