Question

How do you determine the oxidation number of nitrogen in nitrate ion?

Answer 1

Oxidation number:

1. The total number of electrons lost or gained by an atom is represented by its oxidation number.
2. The nitrate ion ${{\mathrm{NO}}_3}^{-}$ contains 3 oxygen atoms, and 1 nitrogen atom and the whole ion has a charge of -1.
3. A polyatomic ion's charge is equal to the sum of its oxidation numbers.
4. Let the oxidation number of nitrogen be$"\mathrm{x}"$, the oxidation number of oxygen $=-2$ since it has three oxygen atoms total oxidation number $=-6$
5. Equation for oxidation number$x+3(-2)=-1$, $x=-1+6\Rightarrow +5$

Therefore, the oxidation number of nitrogen$=+5$.