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Phosphorus has the oxidation state of +3 in
  • a)
    Orthophosphoric acid
  • b)
    Phosphorous acid
  • c)
    Metaphosphoric acid
  • d)
    Pyrophosphoric acid
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Phosphorus has the oxidation state of +3 ina)Orthophosphoric acidb)Pho...
Explanation:
Oxidation state or oxidation number is the hypothetical charge that an atom would have if all bonds to atoms of different elements were 100% ionic. Oxidation states are assigned to atoms in order to help determine the redox reactions and the electronegativity of an atom.

In this question, we are asked to find out the oxidation state of phosphorus in different acids.

a) Orthophosphoric acid: The molecular formula of orthophosphoric acid is H3PO4. Orthophosphoric acid is a triprotic acid. The oxidation state of each oxygen atom in orthophosphoric acid is -2. Since there are four oxygen atoms in the molecule, the total oxidation number contributed by oxygen is -8. The oxidation state of hydrogen is +1. Therefore, the oxidation state of phosphorus can be calculated as follows:

(3 x (+1)) + (x) + (-8) = 0

Solving for x, we get x = +5

Therefore, the oxidation state of phosphorus in orthophosphoric acid is +5.

b) Phosphorous acid: The molecular formula of phosphorous acid is H3PO3. Phosphorous acid is a diprotic acid. The oxidation state of each oxygen atom in phosphorous acid is -2. Since there are three oxygen atoms in the molecule, the total oxidation number contributed by oxygen is -6. The oxidation state of hydrogen is +1. Therefore, the oxidation state of phosphorus can be calculated as follows:

(2 x (+1)) + (x) + (-6) = 0

Solving for x, we get x = +3

Therefore, the oxidation state of phosphorus in phosphorous acid is +3.

c) Metaphosphoric acid: The molecular formula of metaphosphoric acid is HPO3. Metaphosphoric acid is a monoprotic acid. The oxidation state of each oxygen atom in metaphosphoric acid is -2. Since there are three oxygen atoms in the molecule, the total oxidation number contributed by oxygen is -6. The oxidation state of hydrogen is +1. Therefore, the oxidation state of phosphorus can be calculated as follows:

(+1) + (x) + (-6) = 0

Solving for x, we get x = +5

Therefore, the oxidation state of phosphorus in metaphosphoric acid is +5.

d) Pyrophosphoric acid: The molecular formula of pyrophosphoric acid is H4P2O7. Pyrophosphoric acid is a diprotic acid. The oxidation state of each oxygen atom in pyrophosphoric acid is -2. Since there are seven oxygen atoms in the molecule, the total oxidation number contributed by oxygen is -14. The oxidation state of hydrogen is +1. Therefore, the oxidation state of phosphorus can be calculated as follows:

(2 x (+1)) + (2x) + (-14) = 0

Solving for x, we get x = +5

Therefore, the oxidation state of phosphorus in pyrophosphoric acid is +5.

Therefore, the correct answer is option B, phosphorous acid, with an oxidation state of +3.
Free Test
Community Answer
Phosphorus has the oxidation state of +3 ina)Orthophosphoric acidb)Pho...
The give options are:
(A) orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4)
(B) phosphorus acid (H3PO3)
(C) metaphosphoric acid (HPO3)
(D) pyrophosphoric acid (H4P2O7)

Option A:
H3PO4

3(+1) + x + 4(-2) = 0
x = +5

(c) HPO3
+1 + x + 3(-2) = 0
x = +5

Option B:
H3PO3

Mathatically, 
3(+1) + x + 3(–2) = 0
3 + x - 6 = 0
x = +3

Option C:
HPO3
+1 + x + 3(-2) = 0
x = +5

Option D:
H4P2O7

4(+1) + 2x + 7(-2) = 0
2x = 10
x = +5

We got our answer in the second option but rest were for your better understanding.

So the answer is (b).
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Phosphorus has the oxidation state of +3 ina)Orthophosphoric acidb)Phosphorous acidc)Metaphosphoric acidd)Pyrophosphoric acidCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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