In which species does phosphorous have an oxidation number of zero? In which species does phosphorous have an oxidation number of zero? P4 (elemental phosphorous) HPO2 Li3PO3 H3PO4 PH3

2 Answers
Mar 24, 2018

P_4

Explanation:

Phosphorus in P_4 has a oxidation number of zero.

This is because every element in its elemental state has zero oxidation state.

Mar 24, 2018

P_4

Explanation:

In P_4 the electron density is shared equally between all of the atoms of Phosphorus leaving all them with zero oxidation state.

In HPO_2 Phosphorus has a charge of +3

H = 1 xx H = 1 xx + 1 = +1
O_2 = 2 xx O = 2 xx -2 = -4

+1 + P + -4 = 0 ( a compound always = 0)

P +1 -4 = 0

P - 3 = 0 adding 3 to both sides gives

P = +3

In Li_3PO_3 P has a charge of +3
Li_3 = 3 xx Li = 3 xx + 1 = +3
O_3 = 3 xx O = 3 xx -2 = -6

+3 + P + (-6) = 0

P + 3 -6 = 0

P - 3 = 0 adding 3 to both sides gives

P = +3

In H_3 P O_4 P has a charge of +5

H_3 = 3 xx H = 3 xx +1 = +3
O_4 = 4 xx O = 4 xx -2 = -8

+ 3 + P + (-8) = 0

P + 3 -8 = 0

P -5 = 0 adding five to both sides gives

P = +5

in PH_3 P = -3
H_3 = 3 xx H = 3 xx +1 = +3 so

P + 3 = 0 subtract 3 from both sides gives

P = -3

All the other compounds give species of phosphorus that have non-zero oxidation state.Only phosphorus in elemental phosphorus has zero oxidation state .