Question

What is the charge of the PO4⁽ⁿ⁻⁾ ion, in which phosphorus has the oxidation number of +5 and each of the oxygen atoms has the oxidation number of -2?

1) 0
2) 1-
3) 2-
4) 3-

Answer 1

The charge of the PO4⁽ⁿ⁻⁾ ion is 3-.

Step-by-step explanation:

The charge of the PO4(n-) ion can be determined using the oxidation numbers of phosphorus and oxygen. Given that phosphorus has an oxidation number of +5 and each oxygen atom has an oxidation number of -2, we can calculate the overall charge.

By rule 6, the sum of the oxidation numbers in a neutral atom or molecule must be 0. Applying this rule to the PO4(n-) ion, we have:

Oxidation number of phosphorus = +5

Oxidation number of each oxygen atom (-2) x number of oxygen atoms (4) = -8

Sum of oxidation numbers = 5 + (-8) = -3

Therefore, the charge of the PO4(n-) ion is 3-