Numford
Oxidation number

N in HNO₂

N is +3 in nitrous acid.

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.

N+3

  1. Hydrogen is +1 when bonded to non-metals.
  2. Oxygen is −2 in most compounds.
  3. The oxidation numbers add up to the charge, 0: (+1) + 2(−2) + x = 0.
  4. x = +3.
Rule steps

How to find it

  1. Hydrogen is +1 when bonded to non-metals.
  2. Oxygen is −2 in most compounds.
  3. The oxidation numbers add up to the charge, 0: (+1) + 2(−2) + x = 0.
  4. x = +3.
Every atom

All the oxidation numbers in HNO₂

  • H +11 atom, hydrogen
  • O −22 atoms, oxygen
  • N +31 atom, sum rule
Questions

N in HNO₂: quick answers

What is the oxidation number of N in HNO₂?

N in HNO₂ (nitrous acid) is +3.

How do you find the oxidation number of N in HNO₂?

Hydrogen is +1 when bonded to non-metals. Oxygen is −2 in most compounds. The oxidation numbers add up to the charge, 0: (+1) + 2(−2) + x = 0. x = +3.

What are the oxidation numbers of the other atoms in HNO₂?

H +1, O −2. Together with N at +3 they add up to the charge of the compound, 0.

Try your own formula