JAMB - Chemistry (2019 - No. 61)
The oxidation state(s) of nitrogen in ammonium nitrite is/are
-3, +3
+5
-3, +5
-3
Paliwanag
Ammonium nitrite = NH\(_4\)NO\(_2\)
NH\(_4 ^+\): Let the oxidation number of Nitrogen = x
x + 4 = 1 \(\implies\) x = 1 - 4
x = -3
NO\(_2 ^-\): x - 4 = -1
x = -1 + 4 \(\implies\) x = +3.
The oxidation numbers for Nitrogen in Ammonium Nitrite = -3, +3.