Assign oxidation number to the underlined elements in each of the following species : NaH_(2)ul(P)O_(4)

Assign oxidation number to the underlined elements in each of the foll

1.	Assign oxidation number to the underlined elements in each of the following species : NaH_(2)ul(P)O_(4)
Answer» Solution :LET the oxidation number of P be x. Writing the oxidation NUMBERS of all elements present, we have `overset(+1+1)(NaH_(2))overset(x-2)(PO_(4))` The sum of oxidation numbers of all atoms in a NEUTRAL molecule is zero. Hence, `(+1)+[(+1)xx2]+(x)+[(-2)xx4]=0` or `x=+8-3=+5` Thus, the oxidation number of P in `NaH_(2)PO_(4)` is +5.