Problem 52 - Chemistry: The Central Science

Question

Write the chemical formula for each of the following compounds, and indicate the oxidation state of nitrogen in each: (a) nitric oxide, (b) hydrazine, (c) potassium cyanide, (d) sodium nitrite, (e) ammonium chloride, (f) lithium nitride.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(a) Nitric oxide: NO, oxidation state of N: +2 (b) Hydrazine: N2H4, oxidation state of N: -2 (c) Potassium cyanide: KCN, oxidation state of N: -3 (d) Sodium nitrite: NaNO2, oxidation state of N: +3 (e) Ammonium chloride: NH4Cl, oxidation state of N: -3 (f) Lithium nitride: Li3N, oxidation state of N: -3

Step 1: (a) Nitric Oxide

Nitric oxide contains nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O). The chemical symbol for nitrogen is N, and the chemical symbol for oxygen is O. In nitric oxide, nitrogen has an oxidation state of +2, and the oxygen has an oxidation state of -2. The chemical formula for nitric oxide is NO.

Step 2: (b) Hydrazine

Hydrazine is composed of nitrogen (N) and hydrogen (H). The chemical symbol for nitrogen is N, while the chemical symbol for hydrogen is H. In hydrazine, nitrogen has an oxidation state of -2 and hydrogen has an oxidation state of +1. The chemical formula for hydrazine is N2H4.

Step 3: (c) Potassium Cyanide

Potassium cyanide consists of potassium (K) and a cyanide ion (CN). The chemical symbol for potassium is K, and the chemical symbol for the cyanide ion is CN. In potassium cyanide, the potassium ion has a charge of +1, while the cyanide ion has a charge of -1. The nitrogen in the cyanide ion has an oxidation state of -3. The chemical formula for potassium cyanide is KCN.

Step 4: (d) Sodium Nitrite

Sodium nitrite is composed of sodium (Na) and a nitrite ion (NO2). The chemical symbol for sodium is Na, while the chemical symbol for the nitrite ion is NO2. In sodium nitrite, the sodium ion has a charge of +1, and the nitrite ion has a charge of -1. The nitrogen in the nitrite ion has an oxidation state of +3. The chemical formula for sodium nitrite is NaNO2.

Step 5: (e) Ammonium Chloride

Ammonium chloride consists of an ammonium ion (NH4) and a chloride ion (Cl). The chemical symbol for the ammonium ion is NH4, and the chemical symbol for the chloride ion is Cl. In ammonium chloride, the ammonium ion has a charge of +1, and the chloride ion has a charge of -1. The nitrogen in the ammonium ion has an oxidation state of -3. The chemical formula for ammonium chloride is NH4Cl.

Step 6: (f) Lithium Nitride

Lithium nitride is composed of lithium (Li) and nitrogen (N). The chemical symbol for lithium is Li, and the chemical symbol for nitrogen is N. In lithium nitride, lithium has an oxidation state of +1, while nitrogen has an oxidation state of -3. The chemical formula for lithium nitride is Li3N.