Question

Will fan and medal!!
Give the oxidation number of Nitrogen in each of the following compounds or ions:
a) N2O
b)Ca(NO3)2
c)NH4 ^+
d)N2H4
e)Mg3N2

Please explain how you got them

Answer 1

Let's take c) first

1. first we look to see if there's any kind of charge on the molecule
2. then we look for the oxidation states of the element(s)
3. we multiply oxidation state by the number of atoms for that element
4. add them all up.

so for

\[NH_{4}^{+}\]

We have 1 atom of nitrogen and 4 atoms of hydrogen.
Hydrogen has an oxidation state of +1 and there are four atoms right? so that's +4
we realize that the charge on our compound is +1 so the oxidation states must sum up to +1. Now we have +4 for hydrogen, and what oxidation state for nitrogen will give us +1 total. that's -3.

so nitrogen is -3 and hydrogen is +1

-3 + 4 = +1

try choice D and tell me what you get

Answer 2

\[N_{2}H_{4} \] try this one it's one of the choices @Shaekitchen

Answer 3

im thinking aboout it but im getting no where just give me a min @Photon336

Answer 4

Im sorry im still not quite understanding @Photon336 Im nnot sure how I find what they add up to

Answer 5

@Shaekitchen first step is there a charge on N2H4 ?

Answer 6

How do i tell like i know that H has 1+ and theres 4 of them so 4+ right? @Photon336

Answer 7

yes correct

Answer 8

@shaekitchen read these rules below. these are the most important

YOU MUST LOOK TO SEE IF THERE IS A CHARGE ON THE MOLECULE, as in an ion.

IF THERE IS A CHARGE: The oxidation states must add up to that charge.

IF THERE IS NO CHARGE: the sum of the oxidation states = zero.

Answer 9

so in N2H4 theres no charge correct?? @Photon336

Answer 10

:) yep

Answer 11

sso then would the charge on N be 2+ ?

Answer 12

@Shaekitchen work out the entire problem and show me step by step.

Answer 13

this will help you understand this

Answer 14

@Shaekitchen

Answer 15

I think i got it -6?

Answer 16

@Photon336 thats the only way i got it to cancel it out

Answer 17

@Shaekitchen please take a close look at how i set up the problem

Answer 18

okay I am going to try N2O

Thaat way you explained i really helped! @Photon336

Answer 19

@Shaekitchen Write out everything by using the drawing tool then post it here

Answer 20

But you need to make sure that you understand how I did it, does tat make sense?

Answer 21

My computer isnt letting me use the drawing tool
If i have N2O
I have a charge on O of -2 right? Theres so many charges on O how do I know which one to use? @Photon336

Answer 22

You always ask this question first before doing anything @Shaekitchen is there a charge on the molecule? oxygen almost always has a charge of -2

Answer 23

Theres no charge on this molecule but if O is 2- doesnt that mean that N would just be 1-?

Answer 24

almost, but no charge means oxidation states MUST = ZERO

ask your self if you summed up those numbers would you get zero?

Answer 25

I got it it would be +1 Im going to do the rest on my own as my computer is slow thank you for your help @Photon336

Answer 26

@Shaekitchen great job, it's +1 remember to use those rules. you should be able to figure out the rest now take care