Multiple Choice
Which of the following compounds contains an atom with the highest oxidation number?
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6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions
Calculate Oxidation Numbers
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What is the oxidation number of hydrogen in NH_3?
A
-1
B
+1
C
+3
D
0
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall the general rule for the oxidation number of hydrogen: it is usually +1 when bonded to nonmetals and -1 when bonded to metals.
Identify the elements in the compound NH_3 (ammonia): nitrogen (N) and hydrogen (H). Nitrogen is a nonmetal.
Since hydrogen is bonded to a nonmetal (nitrogen), assign hydrogen an oxidation number of +1.
Verify the overall charge of the molecule NH_3, which is neutral (0). Use the oxidation numbers to check consistency: let the oxidation number of nitrogen be x.
Set up the equation: x + 3(+1) = 0, then solve for x to confirm the oxidation number of nitrogen, ensuring the assigned oxidation number for hydrogen is correct.
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