Numford
Oxidation number

N in HNO₃

N is +5 in nitric 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+5

  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) + 3(−2) + x = 0.
  4. x = +5.
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) + 3(−2) + x = 0.
  4. x = +5.
Every atom

All the oxidation numbers in HNO₃

  • H +11 atom, hydrogen
  • O −23 atoms, oxygen
  • N +51 atom, sum rule
Questions

N in HNO₃: quick answers

What is the oxidation number of N in HNO₃?

N in HNO₃ (nitric acid) is +5.

How do you find the oxidation number of N in HNO₃?

Hydrogen is +1 when bonded to non-metals. Oxygen is −2 in most compounds. The oxidation numbers add up to the charge, 0: (+1) + 3(−2) + x = 0. x = +5.

What are the oxidation numbers of the other atoms in HNO₃?

H +1, O −2. Together with N at +5 they add up to the charge of the compound, 0.

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