What is the oxidation state of an individual nitrogen atom in HNO_3?

• A. +3
• B. -3
• C. +5
• D. +1

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the overall charge of the molecule HNO\_3, which is neutral (0 charge).
2. Assign the oxidation state of hydrogen (H) as +1, since hydrogen is usually +1 when bonded to nonmetals.
3. Assign the oxidation state of oxygen (O) as -2, which is the common oxidation state for oxygen in most compounds.
4. Set up an equation for the sum of oxidation states in HNO\_3: Let the oxidation state of nitrogen be x. Then, the sum is: +1 (for H) + x (for N) + 3 \times (-2) (for O) = 0.
5. Solve the equation: +1 + x - 6 = 0, which simplifies to x - 5 = 0, so x = +5. This means the oxidation state of nitrogen in HNO\_3 is +5.