Question

Oxidation number of nitrogen in which among the oxides of nitrogen is the lowest ?

• A. Nitric oxide
• B. Nitrous oxide
• C. Nitrogen dioxide
• D. Nitrogen trioxide

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

(a) Nitric oxide, NO $x-2=0$
$\Rightarrow x=+2$

(b) Nitrous oxide, $N_{2}O2x-2=0$
$\Rightarrow x=+1$

(c) Nitrogen dioxide, $N{O}_2$

$x+2(-2)=0\Rightarrow x=+4$

(d) Nitrogen trioxide $N{O}_3$

$x+2x(-3)=0$

$\Rightarrow x=+6$

Thus, in nitrous oxide, oxidation number of nitrogen is lowest.