What is the primary oxidation state of nitrogen in nitric acid (HNO3)? (2023)
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the primary oxidation state of nitrogen in nitric acid (HNO3)? (2023)
+1
+3
+5
0
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the primary oxidation state of nitrogen in nitric acid (HNO3)? (2023)
Step 1: Identify the chemical formula of nitric acid, which is HNO3.
Step 2: Determine the oxidation states of the other elements in the compound.
Step 3: Hydrogen (H) typically has an oxidation state of +1.
Step 4: Oxygen (O) typically has an oxidation state of -2. In HNO3, there are three oxygen atoms, so the total oxidation state from oxygen is 3 * -2 = -6.
Step 5: Set up the equation for the total oxidation states in the compound: +1 (from H) + x (from N) + -6 (from O) = 0, where x is the oxidation state of nitrogen.
Step 6: Solve the equation: +1 + x - 6 = 0, which simplifies to x - 5 = 0.
Step 7: Therefore, x = +5, meaning the oxidation state of nitrogen in nitric acid is +5.
