Question

Is this how you would determine the overall charge on a compound? Alright this is what I did. I took NO3- and I used the formula (Valence Electrons-Bonding Electrons/2-Non Bonding Electrons) I got 2 of the Oxygen atoms having a -1 charge, the other oxygen having a 0 charge, and finally the Nitrogen having a +1 charge. So i added them up and its overall -1. Is this how you would normally determine the overall charge of a compound?

Answer 1

It Depends if it is a neutral compound then the sum of oxidation states must equal zero.
and if its a compound with charge either + or - the sum of oxiddation states of atom must equal to charge of compund.

Answer 2

How did you get N charge in NO3- to be +1?

Answer 3

Oxygen atom has a fixed oxidation state of -2

Answer 4

Oxygen has a charge of -2, 3 oxygen atoms are present
-2*3=-6 Charge on Nitrate ion is -1 therefore Nitrogen must have an oxidation of +5

Answer 5

NO3-
means overall charge is -1

for O its fixed to have -2 as its charge thus

X+ (-2*3) = -1
X -6 = -1
X= -1+6
X= +5

Answer 6

overall charge of a compound depends on

Answer 7

if there is -1, -2 , -whatever or +1, +2 or +whatever
that is going to be the overall charge of a compound
if there is no such thing, then overall charge of a compound would always be 0

Answer 8

Yes, @Somy I understand that I wanted to determine how one would see why the compound has a negative or positive charge. Thank you for showing me that it just has to do with oxidization numbers. Btw I got Nitrogen was +1 using the formula I provided...

Answer 9

idk where you got that formula from
but this is how we usually do it @sweetburger :)

Answer 10

Organic Chemistry book by John McMurray I think it may just deal with reasonance I was trying to see if it had any other uses

Answer 11

hmm i see
well it's not fitted here i guess