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In which one of the following is the oxidation state of nitrogen given incorrectly?

A. H2N20 2(+ 1)
B. N2H4(-2)
C. NaN3(-1)
D. HN02(+3)

User BeemerGuy
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1 Answer

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The oxidation state of nitrogen in option A, H2N2O2, is given incorrectly.

In H2N2O2, the oxidation state of oxygen is -1, and there are two oxygen atoms, so the total oxidation state contributed by oxygen is -2. The overall molecule has a neutral charge, which means the total oxidation state contributed by all the atoms must be 0.

Let x be the oxidation state of nitrogen. Then, we can set up the equation:

2(1) + x + (-2) + (-2) = 0

where the first term is the oxidation state of hydrogen (which is always +1) multiplied by the number of hydrogen atoms, and the second and third terms are the oxidation state of oxygen (which is always -2) multiplied by the number of oxygen atoms.

Simplifying the equation, we get:

x - 2 = 0

x = +2

Therefore, the oxidation state of nitrogen in H2N2O2 is +2, not +1 as given in option A.
User Bruno Lubascher
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