1. Identify the overall charge of the compound.
* (N₂H₅)₂SO₄ is a neutral compound, meaning it has an overall charge of 0.
2. Determine the oxidation numbers of known elements.
* Oxygen (O): Oxygen usually has an oxidation number of -2, and there are four oxygen atoms in SO₄.
* Sulfur (S): In sulfates (SO₄), sulfur typically has an oxidation number of +6.
3. Set up an algebraic equation.
Let x be the oxidation number of nitrogen (N). We can write the equation based on the overall charge of the compound:
2(2x + 5) + 6 + 4(-2) = 0
4. Solve for x.
* 4x + 10 + 6 - 8 = 0
* 4x + 8 = 0
* 4x = -8
* x = -2
Therefore, the oxidation number of nitrogen (N) in (N₂H₅)₂SO₄ is -2.
