Final answer:
The overall charge of the Nitrate ion is -1, which is the sum of the oxidation states of its constituent atoms: nitrogen with a +5 charge and three oxygens each with a -2 charge. Correct answer A) -1.
Step-by-step explanation:
The overall charge of the Nitrate ion is -1. This can be understood by looking at the individual oxidation numbers for the atoms that make up the nitrate ion (NO3-). Nitrogen in the nitrate ion has an oxidation number of +5, and each oxygen has an oxidation number of -2.
Summing up the charges, we have 1 nitrogen atom with a +5 charge and 3 oxygen atoms each with a -2 charge: +5 + (3 × -2) = +5 - 6 = -1. When you add all the charges together, it results in -1 overall charge. Therefore, the correct answer is A) -1, indicating the nitrate ion is negatively charged.