Question

What is the oxidation number of chlorine in KClO3?Group of answer choicesA. +5B. +1C. -5D. -1

Answer 1

The oxidation number of chlorine in KClO3 is +5

Step-by-step explanation

Category --------- General Chemistry

Sub-category ------- Electrochemistry

The given compound is KClO3

Follow the steps below to find the oxidation number of chlorine

Let x represents the oxidation number of chlorine

Recall, the oxidation number of chlorine is +1 and the oxidation number of oxygen is -2

Hence, we have

`\begin{gathered} \text{ +1 + x + 3\lparen-2\rparen = 0} \\ \text{ + 1 + x - 6 = 0} \\ \text{ collect the like terms} \\ \text{ +1 - 6 + x = 0} \\ \text{ -5 + x = 0} \\ \text{ x = 0 + 5} \\ \text{ x = 5} \end{gathered}`

Therefore, the oxidation number of chlorine in KClO3 is +5