Oxidation Numbers in Cyanide Ion

The video tutorial explains how to determine the oxidation numbers for each element in the cyanide ion (CN-). It begins by introducing the concept of oxidation numbers and the general rules used to find them. The video highlights that carbon and nitrogen are not directly covered by these rules, leading to the use of electronegativity to assign charges. Nitrogen, being more electronegative, is assigned a charge of 3-, while carbon is assigned a charge of +2, ensuring the overall charge of the ion is -1. The tutorial concludes with a summary of the oxidation numbers for the CN- ion.

What is the main objective of the video?

• To discuss the properties of nitrogen

• To find the oxidation numbers for elements in the cyanide ion

• To describe the structure of carbon

• To explain the periodic table

Why are carbon and nitrogen not found in the general list of oxidation number rules?

• They are noble gases

• They are not elements

• They are exceptions to the general rules

• They have variable oxidation states

What rule is used to determine the oxidation number of nitrogen in a binary compound?

• The more electronegative element gets the number equal to its ionic charge

• The element with the higher atomic number gets the negative charge

• The less electronegative element gets the number equal to its ionic charge

• The element with the lower atomic number gets the positive charge

What is the oxidation number of nitrogen in the cyanide ion?

• +3

• -3

• +2

• -2

How is the oxidation number of carbon determined in the cyanide ion?

• By adding nitrogen's oxidation number to the overall charge

• By subtracting nitrogen's oxidation number from the overall charge

• By using the atomic mass of carbon

• By using the atomic number of carbon

What is the oxidation number of carbon in the cyanide ion?

• -2

• -3

• +3

• +2

What is the overall charge of the cyanide ion?

• +1

• -1

• +2

• -2