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Oxidation Number

[poll id=”77″]

ANSWER: D. -1/3

The entire compound has a charge of 0. Thus, giving Na’s +1 oxidation state: 1 + 3x = 0

The 3x represents the nitrogen (3 of them, x being the unknown oxidation number), the 1 represents the +1 oxidation number of Na and finally the 0 being the neutral charge of the entire compound. Solving for x:

3x=-1

x=-1/3