Question

Wrie the oxidation number of KCN? FULL SOLUTION

Answer 1

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Wrie the oxidation number of KCN? FULL SOLUTION

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There are rules you can use for polyatomic ions (ions with multiple atoms in it), such as CN

−. Nitrogen is more electronegative than carbon. Thus it will have the negative oxidation state (think: it's better at grabbing electrons, which are negatively charged). It is 3 columns away from being a noble gas, thus its oxidation state it -3. The overall oxidation state of the ion is -1, thus carbon must have an oxidation state of +2.

• To sum up: K = +1, C = +2, N = -3.

• If you're trying to balance an equation though, you don't need to look at C and N individually.

• You just look at the CN− as a whole and the K+

hope it helps you.

Answer 2

It is 3 columns away from being a noble gas, thus its oxidation state it -3. The overall oxidation state of the ion is -1, thus carbon must have an oxidation state of +2. To sum up: K = +1, C = +2, N = -3.