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Stock System Problem
Write the chemical formula of nitrogen (IV) oxide.
1. List the symbols: NO (I don’t mean ‘no’. I mean the symbol of nitrogen oxide.)
2. Assign oxidation states: The oxidation state of N in this example is +4 (IV). The oxidation state of ‘O’ is -2 (We look up O’s oxidation state on the Periodic Table.) Then we write: N+4O-2.
3. Crisscross oxidation states.
4. N2O4 can be reduced by dividing both subscripts by two. Answer: NO2
If the oxidation number is not given, use the top oxidation number on the Periodic Table.
UNIT 6: MATH IN CHEMISTRY © 212
