Numford
Oxidation number

H in NaH

H is −1 in sodium hydride.

Oxidation number

Type a formula or an ion: K2Cr2O7, Cr2O7 2-, MnO4-, NH4+ or K4[Fe(CN)6]. Put a known ion in brackets when two elements are unknown. Pick an element to solve for it.

H−1

  1. Na is an alkali metal: +1 in its compounds.
  2. With metals only, hydrogen is −1 (a metal hydride); the sum below shows this.
  3. The oxidation numbers add up to the charge, 0: (+1) + x = 0.
  4. x = −1.
Rule steps

How to find it

  1. Na is an alkali metal: +1 in its compounds.
  2. With metals only, hydrogen is −1 (a metal hydride); the sum below shows this.
  3. The oxidation numbers add up to the charge, 0: (+1) + x = 0.
  4. x = −1.
Every atom

All the oxidation numbers in NaH

  • Na +11 atom, alkali metal
  • H −11 atom, metal hydride
Questions

H in NaH: quick answers

What is the oxidation number of H in NaH?

H in NaH (sodium hydride) is −1.

How do you find the oxidation number of H in NaH?

Na is an alkali metal: +1 in its compounds. With metals only, hydrogen is −1 (a metal hydride); the sum below shows this. The oxidation numbers add up to the charge, 0: (+1) + x = 0. x = −1.

What are the oxidation numbers of the other atoms in NaH?

Na +1. Together with H at −1 they add up to the charge of the compound, 0.

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