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oxidation numbers (1 Viewer)

lanvins

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How do u find the charges (C, N, O) in Cu(NO3)2?

i don't get why (NO3)2 has a charge of 1

And how did you know the charge of Cu was 2+, its a transition metal
 

namburger

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lanvins said:
And how did you know the charge of Cu was 2+, its a transition metal
Well, the molecule,Cu(NO3)2, has no charge so its total oxidation number is 0
Nitrate ( NO3) is an ion with charge -1
From Cu(NO3)2 there are 2 nitrate ions, therefore 2 x -1 = -2
Since the total is 0, copper must have oxidation number of +2.

The equation:

[Cu 2+ + (NO3)-] ---> Cu(NO3)2

lanvins said:
How do u find the charges (C, N, O) in Cu(NO3)2?
For copper its 2+
For oxygen, i'm preety sure it is always 2-

To find N
NO3 has a charge of -1, so it has a total oxidation number of -1
3 x -2 + N = -1
N = +5
 
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Mark576

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namburger said:
For oxygen, i'm preety sure it is always 2-
Well, oxygen actually has 7 different oxidation states. All we need to know:
OS(O) in H2O2 = -1 [peroxides]
OS(O) in H2O = -2 [oxides]
OS(O) in O2 = 0 [of course :uhhuh:]

OS - oxidation state.

The other possible OS(O) are -1/2, -1/3, +1 and +2.
 
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uberturtle

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^^
too pro

Oxygen uncombined or as an oxide is always -2 yehh
 

undalay

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lol just remember WHAT oxidation numbers actually are.
Then you'll never go wrong :]
 

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