Question

Amongst the compound magnesium nitride ammonia dinitrogen trioxide and niteogen which one shows an oxidation state of 3

Answer 1

Hey there !

Alright, so let’s first calculate the oxidation number for Nitrogen in the three compounds.

1) Magnesium Nitride => Mg₃N₂

Let the oxidation state of N be ‘x’

Since Mg belongs to the second group, it’s oxidation state is +2. So,

2x + 3(2)= 0

=> x = -3

2) Ammonia => NH₃

Let the oxidation state of N be ‘y’. The oxidation state of H is +1. So,

y + 3(1) = 0

=> y = -3

3) Dinitrogen trioxide => N₂O₃

Let the oxidation state of N be ‘z’ here. The oxidation state of O is -2. So,

2z + 3(-2) = 0

=> z = 3

So here, the oxidation number of N is found to be +3 only in Dintrogen trioxide. Hence, the third compound is the right answer.

Hope this helps ya ✌️