In the following four substances, H$_2$SO$_4$, N$_2$O$_5$, H$_2$O, ClO$_2$, the atom with the highest oxidation number is
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 18 - 2005 - Paper 1
Question 18
In the following four substances, H$_2$SO$_4$, N$_2$O$_5$, H$_2$O, ClO$_2$, the atom with the highest oxidation number is
A. I
B. S
C. N
D. Cl
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In the following four substances, H$_2$SO$_4$, N$_2$O$_5$, H$_2$O, ClO$_2$, the atom with the highest oxidation number is
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 18 - 2005 - Paper 1
Step 1
Determine the oxidation states in H$_2$SO$_4$
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Answer
In sulfuric acid (H2SO4), hydrogen is +1, oxygen is -2, and sulfur is +6. Therefore, the oxidation state of sulfur (S) in H2SO4 is +6.
Step 2
Determine the oxidation states in N$_2$O$_5$
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Answer
In dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5), oxygen is -2. Let the oxidation state of nitrogen (N) be x. The equation is:
2x+5(−2)=0
Solving for x gives:
ightarrow 2x = 10
ightarrow x = +5$$
Thus, the oxidation state of nitrogen is +5.
Step 3
Determine the oxidation states in H$_2$O
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Answer
In water (H2O), hydrogen is +1 and oxygen is -2. The oxidation state of oxygen (O) is therefore -2.
Step 4
Determine the oxidation states in ClO$_2$
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Answer
In chlorine dioxide (ClO2), oxygen is -2. Let the oxidation state of chlorine (Cl) be y. The equation is:
y+2(−2)=0
Solving for y gives:
ightarrow y = +4$$
So, the oxidation state of chlorine is +4.
Step 5
Identify the highest oxidation state
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Answer
The oxidation states calculated are:
Sulfur in H2SO4: +6
Nitrogen in N2O5: +5
Oxygen in H2O: -2
Chlorine in ClO2: +4
Thus, sulfur (S) has the highest oxidation number of +6.
