What is the oxidation state of chlorine in NaClO3?

What is the oxidation state of chlorine in NaClO3?

Step 1: Identify the compound NaClO3. It consists of sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), and three oxygen (O) atoms.
Step 2: Determine the oxidation state of sodium (Na). Sodium is in Group 1 of the periodic table, so its oxidation state is +1.
Step 3: Determine the oxidation state of oxygen (O). Oxygen typically has an oxidation state of -2.
Step 4: Since there are three oxygen atoms, the total oxidation state contributed by oxygen is 3 * (-2) = -6.
Step 5: Let the oxidation state of chlorine (Cl) be x. The overall charge of the compound NaClO3 is neutral (0).
Step 6: Set up the equation based on the oxidation states: +1 (from Na) + x (from Cl) + (-6) (from 3 O) = 0.
Step 7: Simplify the equation: 1 + x - 6 = 0.
Step 8: Solve for x: x - 5 = 0, so x = +5.
Step 9: Conclude that the oxidation state of chlorine in NaClO3 is +5.

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