To determine the oxidation numbers for NH4Cl, we need to know the oxidation numbers of each element present in the compound.
In NH4Cl, the elements are nitrogen (N), hydrogen (H), and chlorine (Cl).
The oxidation number of hydrogen (H) is almost always +1 when it is combined with nonmetals.
The oxidation number of chlorine (Cl) is typically -1 in ionic compounds.
To find the oxidation number of nitrogen (N), we can calculate it using the following formula:
Oxidation number of nitrogen + (Oxidation number of hydrogen × number of hydrogen atoms) + (Oxidation number of chlorine × number of chlorine atoms) = 0 (since NH4Cl is a neutral compound)
Let's substitute the known values:
Oxidation number of nitrogen + (+1 × 4) + (-1 × 1) = 0
Oxidation number of nitrogen + 4 - 1 = 0
Oxidation number of nitrogen + 3 = 0
Oxidation number of nitrogen = -3
Therefore, the oxidation number of nitrogen (N) in NH4Cl is -3.