Question

The correct order of N-compounds in its decreasing order of oxidation states is
A. `HNO_(3), NH_(4)Cl,NO,N_(2)`
B. `HNO_(3),NO,NH_(4)Cl, N_(2)`
C. `HNO_(3),NO,N_(2),NH_(4)Cl`
D. `NH_(4)Cl,N_(2),NO,HNO_(3)`

Answer 1

Correct Answer - C
Let the oxidation state of nitrogen in each of the given N-compounds be x.
`(i) HNO_(3) : +1+x+3(-2)=0`
x=+5
`therefore` Oxidation state of N in `HNO_(3)` is +5.
(ii) `NO : x+1(-2)=0`
x=+2
`therefore` Oxidation state of N in NO is +2
`(iii) NH_(4)Cl : x+4(+1)+1(-1)=0`
x= -3
`therefore` Oxidation state of N in `NH_(4)Cl` is -3.
`(iv) N_(2) : x=0 [ therefore N_(2)` is present in elemental state]
`therefore` Oxidation state of N in `N_(2)` is 0.
Thus, the correct decreasing order of oxidation states of given N - compounds will be
`overset(+5)(HNO_(3)) gt overset(+2)(NO) gt overset(0)(N_(2)) gt overset(-3)(NH_(4)Cl)`