Oxidation Numbers and H3PO4

The video tutorial explains how to find the oxidation number of phosphorus in phosphoric acid (H3PO4). It begins by noting that H3PO4 is a neutral compound, meaning the sum of oxidation numbers is zero. Hydrogen, bonded to non-metals, is assigned +1. Phosphorus is unknown and labeled as 'x'. Oxygen is typically -2. An equation is set up: 3(+1) + x + 4(-2) = 0. Solving gives x = +5, indicating phosphorus has an oxidation number of +5. The video concludes with a summary of oxidation numbers for each element in H3PO4.

What is the overall charge of the compound H3PO4?

• Neutral

• Negative

• Positive

• Variable

When hydrogen is bonded to a non-metal, what is its typical oxidation number?

• 0

• +1

• -1

• +2

In the context of H3PO4, what symbol is used to represent the unknown oxidation number of phosphorus?

• y

• z

• p

• x

What is the typical oxidation number assigned to oxygen in compounds?

• 0

• -2

• -1

• +2

How many oxygen atoms are present in H3PO4?

• 3

• 2

• 5

• 4

What is the oxidation number of phosphorus in H3PO4 after solving the equation?

• +3

• +4

• +5

• +6

What is the sum of the oxidation numbers in a neutral compound like H3PO4?

• -1

• +1

• +2

• 0