Question

In the compound nh3, nitrogen has an oxidation number of 3+ and hydrogen has an oxidation number of ______________.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Since nitrogen is more electronegative than hydrogen therefore, it attracts the electron of hydrogen atom towards itself. Hence, the hydrogen atom acquires a negative charge in a molecule of ammonia
`(NH_(3))`.

So, let the oxidation number of hydrogen in
`NH_(3)` is x.

Therefore, calculate the oxidation number of hydrogen as follows.

Oxidation number of nitrogen +
`3 * oxidation number of hydrogen` = charge on the molecule

3 + 3x = 0

x =
`(-3)/(3)`

= -1

Thus, we can conclude that in the compound
`NH_(3)`, nitrogen has an oxidation number of 3+ and hydrogen has an oxidation number of -1.

Answer 2

In the compound nh3, nitrogen has an oxidation number of 3+ and hydrogen has an oxidation number of -1
The molecule NH3 have a neutral charge so the number of oxidation number of it's component must be equal to zero. The molecule NH composed of 1 nitrogen and 3 hydrogens. If the nitrogen oxidation number is 3+, then hydrogen would be:

1* N + 3*H=0
1*+3 +3*H=0
3H= -3
H= -1