Oxidation number
Choose the compound whose hydrogen has the lowest oxidation number.
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5 solutions
N a H h a s h y d r o g e n a s − 1 o x i d a t i o n n u m b e r s . ( t h e s e a r e t h e f e w c a s e s w h e r e h y d r o g e n h a s − 1 o x i d a t i o n n u m b e r , a s i n m e t a l h y d r i d e s ) H 2 O h a s h y d r o g e n w i t h + 1 a n d O x y g e n w i t h − 2 H 2 O 2 h a s a p e r o x i d e l i n k a g e b e t w e e n t h e t w o o x y g e n a n d h e n c e h a s + 1 f o r H y d r o g e n a n d − 1 f o r o x y g e n s i m i l a r l y i n t h e l a s t o n e H h a s + 1 o x i d a t i o n n u m b e r .
How does it have +1 in CH4?
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because carbon have a special rule for oxidation numbers...
it can be - 4 up to + 4
Because carbon is a non-metal. So hydrogen will have oxidation number +1
Let x be the oxidation no. of hydrogen. Given that we know the oxidation states of the following atoms: C=-4 , Na=1, O2 (peroxide)= -2 O=-2 (H202): 2x+(-2)=0 x= 1
(NaH) : 1+x=0 x=-1
(CH4): -4+4x=0 x=1
(H20): 2x+(-2)=0 x=1
Therefore, NaH is the compound where hydrogen has the least oxidation number
Hydrogen has two oxidation numbers, +1 and -1. When it combines with a non-metal, e.g., oxygen, it has oxidation number +1. But when it combines with a metal, e.g., lithium, it will have oxidation number -1.
Hydrogen has oxidation number +1 with its compounds, but in metal hydrides it is -1. -1 is less than +1. Example of metal hydrides, LiH, NaH, etc.
Hydrogen has two oxidation numbers, +1 and -1. When it combines with a non-metal, e.g., oxygen, it has oxidation number +1. But when it combines with a metal, e.g., lithium, it will have oxidation number -1.