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Question 51

The correct order of the oxidation states of nitrogen in NO, N$$_2$$O, NO$$_2$$ and N$$_2$$O$$_3$$ is:

We recall the general rule that in almost every compound the oxidation state of oxygen is $$-2$$.

For nitric oxide, $$\mathrm{NO}$$: Let the oxidation state of the single nitrogen atom be $$x$$. We have

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

because the molecule is electrically neutral. Solving gives

$$x = +2$$.

For nitrous oxide, $$\mathrm{N_2O}$$: Let each nitrogen atom have the same oxidation state $$x$$. Now

$$2x + (-2) = 0 \quad\Longrightarrow\quad 2x = +2 \quad\Longrightarrow\quad x = +1.$$

For nitrogen dioxide, $$\mathrm{NO_2}$$: The single nitrogen atom has oxidation state $$x$$, so

$$x + 2(-2) = 0 \quad\Longrightarrow\quad x - 4 = 0 \quad\Longrightarrow\quad x = +4.$$

For dinitrogen trioxide, $$\mathrm{N_2O_3}$$: With each nitrogen at oxidation state $$x$$, we write

$$2x + 3(-2) = 0 \quad\Longrightarrow\quad 2x - 6 = 0 \quad\Longrightarrow\quad 2x = +6 \quad\Longrightarrow\quad x = +3.$$

Now we list the values obtained:

$$\mathrm{N_2O}: +1,\qquad \mathrm{NO}: +2,\qquad \mathrm{N_2O_3}: +3,\qquad \mathrm{NO_2}: +4.$$

Arranging them in increasing order we get

$$+1 < +2 < +3 < +4 \;\;\Longrightarrow\;\; \mathrm{N_2O} < \mathrm{NO} < \mathrm{N_2O_3} < \mathrm{NO_2}.$$

Hence, the correct answer is Option A.

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