What is the oxidation number of nitrogen in HNO3?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the oxidation number of nitrogen (N) in nitric acid (HNO3). To determine the oxidation number, we must analyze the molecule considering the typical oxidation states of the other elements present, such as hydrogen and oxygen.
Answer
+5
The oxidation number of nitrogen in HNO3 is +5.
Answer for screen readers
The oxidation number of nitrogen in HNO3 is +5.
More Information
The oxidation number of nitrogen in nitric acid (HNO3) is +5, which is determined by balancing the known oxidation states of hydrogen and oxygen within the molecule.
Tips
A common mistake is to forget that the sum of all the oxidation numbers in a neutral molecule must equal zero.