what is the oxidation number for nitrogen in the following?
NH3
NO2 1-
N2
NO2Cl
N2H4
We will be happy to critique your thinking or work.
I don't even have a clue as to how to work it out.
For NH3 is -3, for NO2^1- is +3, for N2 is 0, for NO2Cl is +5, for N2H4 is -2
To determine the oxidation number of nitrogen, we need to follow some general rules:
1. The oxidation number of an atom in its elemental form is always zero. Therefore, the oxidation number of N2 (elemental nitrogen) is 0.
2. The oxidation number of hydrogen is always +1 in its compounds, except in metal hydrides (such as NaH) where it is -1. In NH3 (ammonia), there are three hydrogen atoms bonded to one nitrogen. So, the total oxidation number contributed by hydrogen is +3.
Using these rules, we can now determine the oxidation numbers for the remaining compounds:
1. NH3: Since hydrogen has an oxidation number of +1 and there is one hydrogen atom, the nitrogen atom must have an oxidation number of -3 to balance the charge of the compound.
2. NO2^1-: In this case, the overall charge of the compound is -1. Oxygen generally has an oxidation number of -2 in compounds, so the total oxidation number contributed by oxygen is -4. The total charge of -1 means the nitrogen atom must have an oxidation number of +3 to balance the charge.
3. NO2Cl: We can break down this compound into NO2 and Cl. As we determined previously, NO2 has an oxidation number of +3 for nitrogen. Chlorine (Cl) generally has an oxidation number of -1 in compounds, so the total oxidation number contributed by chlorine is -1. Therefore, we can assign the remaining oxidation number to nitrogen by balancing the charge, which would be +2 (-1 from Cl and -3 from NO2).
4. N2H4: Here, we can again break down the compound into nitrogen and hydrogen. We know that hydrogen atoms have an oxidation number of +1 in compounds, and we have four hydrogen atoms in N2H4. Therefore, the total oxidation number contributed by hydrogen is +4. The compound N2H4 is neutral since it has no charge, so the total oxidation number contributed by nitrogen must be -4 (-4 from hydrogen).
In summary, the oxidation numbers are as follows:
- NH3: Nitrogen has an oxidation number of -3.
- NO2^1-: Nitrogen has an oxidation number of +3.
- N2: Nitrogen has an oxidation number of 0.
- NO2Cl: Nitrogen has an oxidation number of +2.
- N2H4: Nitrogen has an oxidation number of -4.
To determine the oxidation number of nitrogen in a compound, we need to follow a set of rules.
1. For a neutral molecule, the sum of the oxidation numbers of all the atoms must be zero. Additionally, for ions, the sum of the oxidation numbers must equal the overall charge.
2. In most compounds, the oxidation number of hydrogen is +1 and oxygen is -2.
Now let's apply these rules to each compound you've mentioned:
1. NH3 (Ammonia):
Since hydrogen generally has a +1 oxidation number and the overall charge of NH3 is 0, we can set up the equation:
x + 3(+1) = 0, where x is the oxidation number of nitrogen.
Simplifying it gives: x + 3 = 0 → x = -3
So, the oxidation number of nitrogen in NH3 is -3.
2. NO2^1- (Nitrite ion):
Since oxygen usually has an oxidation number of -2 and we know the charge of the ion is -1, we have:
2x + 1(-2) = -1, where x is the oxidation number of nitrogen.
Simplifying it gives: 2x - 2 = -1 → 2x = 1 → x = 1/2
Therefore, in NO2^1-, the oxidation number of nitrogen is +1/2.
3. N2 (Nitrogen gas):
Since N2 is a neutral molecule, the sum of the oxidation numbers of both nitrogen atoms must be zero. Therefore, each nitrogen atom will have an oxidation number of 0.
4. NO2Cl (Nitryl chloride):
To determine the oxidation number of nitrogen in this compound, we need to figure out the oxidation numbers of oxygen and chlorine.
Oxygen: -2 (as usual)
Chlorine: Group 7A elements (halogens) have an oxidation number of -1.
Let's assign the oxidation number of nitrogen as x to form the equation:
x + 2(-2) + 1(-1) = 0
Simplifying it gives: x - 4 - 1 = 0 → x = 5
Hence, the oxidation number of nitrogen in NO2Cl is +5.
5. N2H4 (Hydrazine):
Hydrazine is a neutral molecule, meaning the sum of the oxidation numbers of all the atoms is zero. Assuming the oxidation number of nitrogen is x:
2x + 4(+1) = 0
Simplifying it gives: 2x + 4 = 0 → 2x = -4 → x = -2
Therefore, in N2H4, the oxidation number of nitrogen is -2.
Remember, these calculations are based on general rules, and there might be exceptions in some cases.