This is part of a marathon problem, we have to identify the five compunds of H, N, and O. As well as write a Lewis structure that is consistent with the info. PLease help I don not even understand the ?
a. All the compunds are electrolytes, although not all of them are strong electrolytes. Compunds C and D are ionic and compund B is covalent.
b. Nitrogen occurs in its highest possible oxidation state in compunds A and C; nitrogen occurs in its lowest oxidation state in compunds C,D, and E. The formal charge on both nitrogen in compund C is +1; the formal charge on the only nitrogen in compund B is 0.
There just isn't enough information to give DEFINITIVE answers to the identy of these five compounds. We could make some educated guesses and we might or might not come up with the right answers. From your post I assume there is more to the problem than what you have posted. If we had ALL of the problem I expect it would make things easier for us.
To identify the compounds of H, N, and O, we can analyze the given information.
a. All the compounds are electrolytes, but not all of them are strong electrolytes. This suggests that the compounds contain ions that can conduct electricity when dissolved in water. Compounds C and D are stated to be ionic, which means they are composed of a metal cation and a non-metal anion. Compound B is stated to be covalent, which means it is composed of non-metal atoms sharing electrons.
b. The oxidation states of nitrogen in the compounds provide further clues. In compound A and C, nitrogen has its highest possible oxidation state (usually +5). In compounds C, D, and E, nitrogen has its lowest oxidation state (usually -3). The formal charge on both nitrogen atoms in compound C is +1, indicating an extra positive charge on the nitrogen atom compared to its usual oxidation state. The formal charge on the only nitrogen atom in compound B is 0, meaning it has no extra charge.
Considering these clues, we can make some educated guesses about the compounds, although definitive answers are not possible without more information. Here are some possibilities:
Compound A: Since nitrogen has its highest possible oxidation state, and the compound is an electrolyte, it could be an ionic compound like NaNO3 (sodium nitrate) or KNH2 (potassium amide).
Compound B: Being a covalent compound with nitrogen having a formal charge of 0, it could be N2O (nitrous oxide) or NH3 (ammonia).
Compound C: This compound is stated to be ionic, with both nitrogen atoms having a formal charge of +1. It could be N2H4 (hydrazine) or NH4NO3 (ammonium nitrate).
Compound D: This compound is ionic and nitrogen has its lowest oxidation state. It could be NH4Cl (ammonium chloride) or NH4OH (ammonium hydroxide).
Compound E: The only information provided about this compound is that nitrogen has its lowest oxidation state, which is not specific enough to uniquely identify it. It could be various compounds, such as N2O3 (dinitrogen trioxide), NO2 (nitrogen dioxide), or N2H2 (diazene).
To definitively identify the compounds, you would need more specific information, such as molecular formula, molar mass, or additional clues about the atoms or functional groups present.