Question

What is the oxidation number of nitrogen in ${{N}_{2}}{{O}_{5}}$?

Answer 1

Hint: The oxidation number also known as oxidation state which describes the degree of oxidation i.e. loss of electrons of an atom in a chemical compound. Conceptually the oxidation state may be positive, negative or zero.

Complete answer:
Oxidation states are typically represented by integers which may be positive, zero, or negative. In some cases, the average oxidation state of an element is a fraction.
The substance which donates electrons during the oxidation process is known as oxidized substance. To determine in which compound nitrogen have greatest oxidation state we have to calculate the oxidation state of nitrogen in the given atom which can be calculated as follows:
${{N}_{2}}{{O}_{5}}$Oxidation state of oxygen is always two and there is negative charge present on the compound which corresponds that oxygen will contain -2 oxidation state now we have 2 nitrogen atoms and five oxygen atoms present in the given compound so the oxidation state of nitrogen can be calculated by using the following method:
Let us suppose the oxidation state of nitrogen is x
${{N}_{2}}{{O}_{5}}=2x-5\times 2=2x-10$
Now the value of x can be calculated by:
$2x-10=0;x=5$ which corresponds to the oxidation state of nitrogen in ${{N}_{2}}{{O}_{5}}$ is 5.

Note:
The increase in oxidation state of an atom, through a chemical reaction, is known as an oxidation; a decrease in oxidation state is known as a reduction. Such reactions involve the formal transfer of electrons: a net gain in electrons being a reduction, and a net loss of electrons being an oxidation. For pure elements, the oxidation state is zero.