Question

Why is the formula of nitrogen dioxide- no2, it should be n2o3 because, the valency of oxygen atom is , and that of nitrogen atom is 3, then after the cross multiplication, we will obtain n2o3.

Thank you

Answer 1

Dear student!

N₂O₃ , also exist and named as nitrogen trioxide. Of course by valency the formula should be N₂O₃ , but it is NO₂ for nitrogen dioxide because here the valencies of all the atoms are not satisfied and they are formed as intermediates during the reaction of nitric acids and are unstable compounds and so they are called as dioxide due to two oxygen atoms.

Here, the compounds are of different oxidation states of Nitrogen and there are many such compounds like NO, N₂O, N₂O₄ , N₂O₅ etc.