Understanding Oxidation Numbers
* Oxidation numbers represent the hypothetical charge an atom would have if all its bonds were 100% ionic.
* Rules:
* The oxidation number of an element in its elemental form is 0.
* The oxidation number of oxygen in most compounds is -2 (except in peroxides, where it's -1).
* The oxidation number of hydrogen in most compounds is +1 (except in metal hydrides, where it's -1).
* The sum of the oxidation numbers in a neutral compound is zero.
* The sum of the oxidation numbers in a polyatomic ion equals the charge of the ion.
Applying the Rules to CaN2
1. Calcium (Ca): Calcium is in group 2 of the periodic table, so it typically has an oxidation number of +2.
2. Nitrogen (N): Let the oxidation number of nitrogen be 'x'.
3. Neutral Compound: Since CaN2 is a neutral compound, the sum of the oxidation numbers must equal zero.
Setting up the Equation:
(+2) + 2(x) = 0
Solving for x:
2x = -2
x = -1
Therefore, the oxidation number of nitrogen (N) in CaN2 is -1.
