What is the oxidation number of nitrogen in nitrate ion?
Oxidation number: Oxidation number denotes the oxidation state of an element in a compound ascertained according to a set of rules formulated on the basis that electron pair in a covalent bond belongs entirely to a more electronegative element.
Calculating the oxidation number of Nitrogen in nitrate ion:
The molecular formula for nitrate ion is .
The oxidation state of oxygen in nitrate ion is .
Consider the oxidation number of Nitrogen is .
Hence, the oxidation number of Nitrogen in nitrate ion is .