What is the oxidation number of (NH4)2SO4

zero for the compound. All compounds are zero.

N=-3
H = +1
S = +6
OP = -2

To determine the oxidation numbers of the atoms in (NH4)2SO4, we need to look at the electronegativities and the valency of each atom.

1. Start with ammonium, NH4+. The overall charge of the ammonium ion is +1. Since hydrogen (H) typically has an oxidation number of +1 and there are four hydrogen atoms, the total oxidation number for hydrogen is +4.

2. The sulfur atom in the sulfate ion (SO4^-2) has an oxidation number of +6 since oxygen (O) typically has an oxidation number of -2 and there are four oxygen atoms in the sulfate ion. For the sulfate ion, the overall charge is -2.

3. Since the (NH4)2SO4 compound is neutral, the positive and negative charges must balance each other. The total positive charge comes from the two ammonium ions, and the total negative charge comes from the sulfate ion.

Calculating the oxidation numbers:

- Let x be the oxidation number of nitrogen (N).
- The total positive charge from the two ammonium ions is +2.
- The total negative charge from the sulfate ion is -2.

Setting up the equation:
(+1 from H) * 4 + x + (+6 from S) + 4(-2 from O) = +2 - 2

Simplifying the equation:
4 + x + 6 - 8 = 0

Combining like terms:
x + 2 = 0

Solving for x:
x = -2

Therefore, the oxidation number of nitrogen (N) in (NH4)2SO4 is -2.

To determine the oxidation number of each element in a compound, you can use a set of guidelines. Let's go through the process step by step:

1. Write down the formula of the compound: (NH4)2SO4.

2. Start by assigning oxidation numbers to the more electronegative atoms. In this case, consider sulfur (S) first.

3. The general rule is that the oxidation number of an element in its elemental state is zero. Since sulfur is in the compound, we know that its overall oxidation number must be zero.

4. The compound (NH4)2SO4 contains an ammonium ion (NH4+) and a sulfate ion (SO4^2-). The oxidation numbers of hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) are usually assigned as +1 and -2, respectively.

5. Considering the ammonium ion (NH4+), we know that the overall charge of the ion is +1. As there are four hydrogen atoms in the ion, each hydrogen atom carries a +1 charge to balance out the -1 charge of the nitrogen atom (N).

6. Move on to the sulfate ion (SO4^2-). Since its overall charge is -2, the sum of the oxidation numbers of sulfur and oxygen must add up to -2.

7. Each oxygen atom (O) carries a -2 charge, and since there are four of them, their total charge is -8.

8. To balance the charges, the oxidation number of sulfur must be +6. This is because +6 + (-8) = -2, which is the overall charge of the sulfate ion.

Therefore, the oxidation number of sulfur (S) in (NH4)2SO4 is +6.