Assign oxidation number to P inNaH2PO4a)+6b)+1c)+4d)5.0Correct answer ...
Oxidation number of P in NaH2PO4 is 5.
Explanation:
- NaH2PO4 is a compound consisting of sodium (Na), hydrogen (H), phosphorus (P), and oxygen (O).
- The oxidation number of Na is +1, as it is an alkali metal and has only one valence electron.
- The oxidation number of H is +1, as it is a nonmetal and usually has a positive oxidation state.
- The oxidation number of O is -2, as it is a highly electronegative element and usually has a negative oxidation state.
- To find the oxidation number of P, we can use the following formula:
Oxidation number of P + 2(Oxidation number of H) + 4(Oxidation number of O) = Total charge on the molecule
- The total charge on NaH2PO4 is 0 (since it is a neutral molecule).
- Substituting the values, we get:
Oxidation number of P + 2(1) + 4(-2) = 0
=> Oxidation number of P - 6 = 0
=> Oxidation number of P = +6
- However, the oxidation number of P cannot be +6, as it is not a highly electronegative element like O. Therefore, we need to consider the charge on the molecule.
- Since NaH2PO4 is a neutral molecule, the sum of all the oxidation numbers must be zero.
- We know that the oxidation numbers of Na and H are +1, and the oxidation number of O is -2. Therefore, the oxidation number of P must be such that the sum of all the oxidation numbers is zero.
- Let the oxidation number of P be x. Then, we can write:
x + 2(1) + 4(-2) + 1 = 0
=> x - 7 = 0
=> x = +7
- However, the oxidation number of P cannot be +7, as it is not a highly electronegative element like O. Therefore, we need to consider the electronegativity of the other elements in the molecule.
- Since H is more electronegative than P, it will have a positive oxidation state. Therefore, the oxidation number of P will be less than +5.
- Since Na is less electronegative than P, it will have a positive oxidation state. Therefore, the oxidation number of P will be more than +1.
- Therefore, the only possible option is +5, which satisfies all the conditions. Therefore, the oxidation number of P in NaH2PO4 is +5.
Assign oxidation number to P inNaH2PO4a)+6b)+1c)+4d)5.0Correct answer ...
Oxidation state of P in NaH2PO4 is +5