Rules to Remember:
* Oxygen usually has an oxidation number of -2, except in peroxides (where it's -1) and when bonded to fluorine.
* The sum of oxidation numbers in a neutral molecule is zero.
Applying the Rules:
1. Oxygen's Oxidation Number: Since NO is a neutral molecule, oxygen will have its usual oxidation number of -2.
2. Nitrogen's Oxidation Number: Let the oxidation number of nitrogen be 'x'. Using the rule that the sum of oxidation numbers in a neutral molecule is zero:
x + (-2) = 0
x = +2
Therefore, the oxidation numbers are:
* Nitrogen (N): +2
* Oxygen (O): -2
