Question

4. Assign an oxidation state to the element whose atom is underlined in the following compound: AIH3

O Al: +5
O Al: -5
Ο Ο Ο
Al: -3
O Al: +3

Answer 1

Answer: The oxidation state of Al in
`AlH_(3)` is +3.

Step-by-step explanation:

The number attained by an atom or substance due to loss or gain of electrons is called oxidation state.

For example, in
`AlH_(3)` it is known that the oxidation state of hydrogen is -1 as aluminum is a cation so it cannot have an oxidation state as 'minus'.

Whereas hydrogen has the property to act both as a cation and an anion.

Let us assume the oxidation state of Al is x in the compound
`AlH_(3)`.

Hence, oxidation state of Al is calculated as follows.

`x + 3(-1) = 0\\x - 3 = 0\\x = +3`

This means that the oxidation state of Al in
`AlH_(3)` is +3.

Thus, we can conclude that oxidation state of Al in
`AlH_(3)` is +3.