In the neutral compound chloric acid (HClO_3), what is the oxidation number of the chlorine atom?

• A. +7
• B. +1
• C. +5
• D. +3

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the atoms present in chloric acid (HClO_3): hydrogen (H), chlorine (Cl), and oxygen (O).
2. Recall the common oxidation numbers: hydrogen is usually +1, oxygen is usually -2, and chlorine's oxidation number is what we need to find.
3. Set up an equation for the sum of oxidation numbers in the neutral compound HClO_3, which must equal zero: \$1 \times (+1) + 1 \times (x) + 3 \times (-2) = 0\(, where \)x$ is the oxidation number of chlorine.
4. Simplify the equation: \(+1 + x - 6 = 0\).
5. Solve for \(x\) to find the oxidation number of chlorine: \(x = 6 - 1\).