What is the oxidation-number sum for NH4+?

Study for the ACS Organic Chemistry Exam. Explore multiple choice questions with hints and detailed explanations. Get prepared for your test!

Multiple Choice

What is the oxidation-number sum for NH4+?

Explanation:
The oxidation-number sum of a species must equal its overall charge. For NH4+, assign oxidation states: hydrogen is almost always +1 in such compounds, and there are four hydrogens contributing +4. Let nitrogen have oxidation state x. Then x + 4 = +1 (the overall charge), so x = -3. The total of all oxidation numbers is the ion’s charge, +1. Therefore the oxidation-number sum for NH4+ is +1.

The oxidation-number sum of a species must equal its overall charge. For NH4+, assign oxidation states: hydrogen is almost always +1 in such compounds, and there are four hydrogens contributing +4. Let nitrogen have oxidation state x. Then x + 4 = +1 (the overall charge), so x = -3. The total of all oxidation numbers is the ion’s charge, +1. Therefore the oxidation-number sum for NH4+ is +1.

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