How do you determine the oxidation number of nitrogen in the nitrate ion?

1 Answer
anor277
Jun 29, 2016

The sum of the oxidation numbers equals the charge on the ion.

Explanation:

For #NO_3^-#, #N_"Oxidation Number"+3xxO_"Oxidation number"=-1#.

Now #O# normally takes an oxidation number of #-II# and it does so here.

Thus #N_"Oxidation Number"+(3xx-2)=-1#.

Clearly, #N_"Oxidation Number"=+V#

What is the oxidation state/number of #N# in #NO#, #NO_2#, and #N_2O_4#?

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