Find the Oxidation Numbers CaO

$C a O$

Step 1

Since $C a$ is in column $2$ of the periodic table, it will share $2$ electrons and use an oxidation state of $2$ .

$C a = 1 (2) = 2$

Step 2

Since $O$ is in column $6$ of the periodic table, it will share $6$ electrons and use an oxidation state of $6$ .

$O = 1 (- 2) = - 2$

Step 3

This is the full list of oxidation states for this molecule.

$C a = 2, O = - 2$