Multiple Choice
In which of the following compounds does nitrogen have an oxidation state of +4?
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6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions
Calculate Oxidation Numbers
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In the compound NH3, what is the oxidation number of nitrogen?
A
+3
B
−3
C
+5
D
0
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that the oxidation number is a hypothetical charge an atom would have if all bonds were completely ionic.
Identify the common oxidation number for hydrogen, which is usually +1 when bonded to nonmetals like nitrogen.
Set up an equation where the sum of the oxidation numbers in NH3 equals zero because the molecule is neutral.
Let the oxidation number of nitrogen be x. Since there are three hydrogens each with +1, the equation is: \(x + 3(+1) = 0\).
Solve the equation for x to find the oxidation number of nitrogen.
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