Question

phosphorous has the oxidation state of +3 in:
(A) phosphorus acid (H3PO3)
(B) orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4)
(C) metaphosphoric acid (HPO3)
(D) pyrophosphoric acid (H4P2O7)

Answer 1

Phosphorus acid h3po3

Answer 2

Hello friend !!!

Here's the answer you are looking for

Before jumping into the answer lets keep in mind some points
★ Let the oxidation number of P is x
★ The oxidation number of H is +1
★ The oxidation number of O is –2
★ The oxidation number of a neutral compound is 0.

Now Let's see each option one by one.

(a)H3PO3

Mathatically,
3(+1) + x + 3(–2) = 0
3 + x - 6 = 0
x = +3

(b)H3PO4

3(+1) + x + 4(-2) = 0
x = +5

(c) HPO3
+1 + x + 3(-2) = 0
x = +5

(d) H4P2O7

4(+1) + 2x + 7(-2) = 0
2x = 10
x = +5

We got our answer in the first option but rest were for your better understanding.

So the answer is (a).


★★ HOPE THAT HELPS ☺️ ★★