Oxidation States in H3BO3

The video tutorial explains how to determine the oxidation numbers for each element in H3BO3, also known as perboric acid. It starts by identifying the compound as neutral, meaning the oxidation numbers must sum to zero. The oxidation state of hydrogen is +1, and oxygen is typically -2. The video then sets up an equation to solve for boron's oxidation number, which is found to be +3. The tutorial concludes with a summary of the oxidation numbers for each element in the compound.

What is the overall charge of the compound H3BO3?

• Neutral

• Variable

• Positive

• Negative

What is the oxidation state of hydrogen when bonded to nonmetals or metalloids?

• -1

• 0

• +1

• +2

Which element in H3BO3 is almost always assigned an oxidation state of -2?

• Oxygen

• Boron

• Hydrogen

• Fluorine

In the context of H3BO3, what is the oxidation state of oxygen?

• -1

• -2

• +1

• +2

What is the oxidation state of boron in H3BO3?

• +5

• -3

• 0

• +3

How do the oxidation numbers in a neutral compound like H3BO3 add up?

• To a negative number

• To a positive number

• To a variable number

• To zero

What is the role of the equation set up in determining the oxidation state of boron?

• To determine the molecular weight

• To ensure the sum of oxidation states equals zero

• To balance the chemical equation

• To find the charge of hydrogen