TExES Life Science 7-12 Certification Practice Exam 2025 – The Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

An oxidation state of +3 indicates that an atom has lost three electrons relative to its neutral state. This loss of electrons results in a net positive charge of +3. When an atom has a positive oxidation state, it implies that it is in a more oxidized state compared to its elemental form. Electrons are the negatively charged particles that can be transferred to or from an atom during chemical reactions. Therefore, a +3 oxidation state means that the atom can donate three electrons to achieve a more stable electron configuration.

While the choice indicating that the atom can accept three electrons relates to the concept of reduction, it wouldn't apply here since we are discussing an oxidation state specifically, which pertains to the losing of electrons rather than gaining. Proton and neutron changes do not directly correlate with oxidation states in such a manner, as protons define the element itself and neutrons impact the isotope but do not affect the charge from electron loss.