Question

What is the oxidation number for P in BaHPO4?
The answer is +5 but I don't know how to do it.

Answer 1

Break everything down into its individual charges. So Ba = +2, H= +1, and O= -2x(4 )because there are 4 oxygen present. So are total charge as it stands without P's charge is +2+1-2(4) = -5 so the P has to have a charge that makes the compound have a net zero charge so in this case P would be +5 because +5-5 = 0 and this agrees with the compound as there is no charge present in BaHPO4

Answer 2

Thanks!