Chemistry Examples

$H N O_{3}$

Step 1

Since $H$ is in column $1$ of the periodic table, it will share $1$ electrons and use an oxidation state of $1$ .

$H = 1 (1) = 1$

Step 2

Since $O$ is in column $6$ of the periodic table, it will share $6$ electrons and use an oxidation state of $6$ .

$O = 3 (- 2) = - 6$

Step 3

To find the oxidation state of $N$ , set up an equation of each oxidation state found earlier and set it equal to $0$ .

$1 - 6 + 1 x = 0$

Step 4

Solve the equation for $x$ .

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Step 4.1

Simplify $1 + - 6 + 1 x$ .

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Step 4.1.1

Multiply $x$ by $1$ .

$1 + - 6 + x = 0$

Step 4.1.2

Add $1$ and $- 6$ .

$- 5 + x = 0$

Step 4.2

Add $5$ to both sides of the equation.

$x = 5$

Step 5

$N$ is using an oxidation state of $5$ .

$5$

Step 6

This is the full list of oxidation states for this molecule.

$H = 1, O = - 6, N = 5$