What are oxidation numbers of the elements in the compound #Na_3PO_3#?

1 Answer
Lucky13
Apr 13, 2017

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Explanation:

The compound is neutral, meaning that the oxidation numbers will cancel each other out:
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Na in a compound is pretty much always +1

Hence, we have #3*(+1)# coming from the 3 Sodiums
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Oxygen unless in an elemental or peroxide form will have an oxidation number of -2

Hence, we have #3*(-2)# coming from the 3 Oxygen atoms
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Because the compound is neutral we know that

#+3_(f rom Na)-6_(f rom O)+P=0#
#P=+3#

Therefore
Na (+1)
P (+3)
O (-2)

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