What is the oxidation number of nitrogen in potassium nitrate?Question 1Answera.-3b.+3c.+5d.-1

The oxidation number of nitrogen in potassium nitrate (KNO3) can be determined using the rules for oxidation numbers.

Step 1: Identify the oxidation numbers of the known elements. The oxidation number of potassium (K) is +1 because it is a Group 1 element and always has an oxidation number of +1 in its compounds. The oxidation number of oxygen (O) is -2 because it is a Group 16 element and almost always has an oxidation number of -2 in its compounds.

Step 2: Use the formula for the compound to set up an equation. In KNO3, there is one potassium atom, one nitrogen atom, and three oxygen atoms. The sum of the oxidation numbers in a neutral compound is zero. So, we have:

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

Step 3: Solve the equation for x, which represents the oxidation number of nitrogen.

+1 + x - 6 = 0 x = 5

So, the oxidation number of nitrogen in potassium nitrate is +5. The correct answer is c. +5.