What is the oxidation state of phosphorus in H3PO4?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
What is the oxidation state of phosphorus in H3PO4?
+5
+3
0
-3
In H3PO4, phosphorus has an oxidation state of +5.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: What is the oxidation state of phosphorus in H3PO4?
Solution: In H3PO4, phosphorus has an oxidation state of +5.
Steps: 7
Step 1: Identify the chemical formula H3PO4. This means there are 3 hydrogen (H) atoms, 1 phosphorus (P) atom, and 4 oxygen (O) atoms.
Step 2: Assign oxidation states to the known elements. Hydrogen (H) typically has an oxidation state of +1, and oxygen (O) typically has an oxidation state of -2.
Step 3: Calculate the total oxidation state contributed by the hydrogen atoms. Since there are 3 hydrogen atoms, the total is 3 * (+1) = +3.
Step 4: Calculate the total oxidation state contributed by the oxygen atoms. Since there are 4 oxygen atoms, the total is 4 * (-2) = -8.
Step 5: Let the oxidation state of phosphorus (P) be x. Set up the equation: +3 (from H) + x (from P) - 8 (from O) = 0.
Step 6: Simplify the equation: +3 + x - 8 = 0, which simplifies to x - 5 = 0.
Step 7: Solve for x: x = +5. Therefore, the oxidation state of phosphorus in H3PO4 is +5.
