Chapter 18, Problem 2ALQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The list of nitrogen compounds with different oxidation states of nitrogen should be determined.

Concept Introduction:

The chemical reaction in which both oxidation and reduction process takes place is known as redox reaction. In this reaction, transfer of electrons takes place among the elements.

Oxidation state is also known as oxidation number. It is defined as the numbers which are assign to the elements in a chemical combination and number represents the electrons which an atom can share, lose or gain to form chemical bonding with an atom of another element.

Reduction is the process in which either gain of electrons, oxidation number decreases, or gain of hydrogen atoms takes place. An element is reduced, when oxidation number decreases.

Therefore, transfer of electrons refers to the oxidation state.