Here's how to determine the ionic charge of nitrogen in the nitrate ion (NO₃⁻):

* Oxygen's Charge: Oxygen typically has a -2 charge in ionic compounds.

* Overall Charge: The nitrate ion (NO₃⁻) has a -1 charge.

* Calculation: Let 'x' represent the charge of nitrogen. We can set up an equation:

x + 3(-2) = -1

* Solving for x:

x - 6 = -1

x = +5

Therefore, the ionic charge of nitrogen in NO₃⁻ is +5.