Chapter F, Problem K.3AST

(a)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Oxidation number of nitrogen in ${\text{N}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{4}}$ has to be found.

Concept Introduction:

Oxidation state of a species is the one that has a specified oxidation number.  Increase in oxidation number corresponds to oxidation while decrease in oxidation number corresponds to reduction.  Rules for assigning oxidation number for an element is given as follows;

• The oxidation number is zero for the element that is present in uncombined state.
• Sum of the oxidation number of the atoms that is present in it is equal to the charge on the species.
• Oxidation number of the element is the charge that is possessed when the more electronegative atom is imagined to be an ion.

(b)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Oxidation number of chlorine in ${\text{ClO}}^{-}$ has to be found.

Concept Introduction:

Refer part (a).