Why Nitrogen has 5 Oxidation Numbers that are false?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the validity of the oxidation numbers assigned to nitrogen, specifically addressing a claim that five of the six oxidation numbers are false. Participants explore the nature of oxidation numbers, their utility, and the implications of differing viewpoints on their existence and calculation.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that the oxidation number of nitrogen is -3 and questions the validity of the other five oxidation numbers.
  • Another participant counters that an oxidation number of -3 would imply a charge of -6 for N2, suggesting a misunderstanding.
  • A third participant argues that oxidation numbers do not exist in reality and are merely an accounting tool for tracking electrons, emphasizing that they lack experimental support.
  • Some participants express confusion about the implications of these claims on their chemistry education, with one suggesting that the chemistry being taught is incorrect.
  • Another participant clarifies that while oxidation numbers are useful for balancing redox equations, they should not be taken too seriously.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the reality and validity of oxidation numbers, with some supporting their utility while others question their existence and accuracy. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the nature of oxidation numbers and their interpretation in chemistry.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions and calculations of oxidation numbers, as well as the assumptions about their applicability in real-world scenarios. The debate highlights the complexity of the topic without reaching a consensus.

Gjmdp
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My Chemistry Teacher told that 5 of the 6 oxidation numbers of Nitrogen are not true. He said something like it is a mathematical trick for I don't know what. The real oxidation number is -3. Can anyone explain me what are the 5 false oxidation number? Thank you.
 
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Your chemistry teacher is wrong. An oxidation number of -3 implies that N2 has a charge of -6.
 
First of all - oxidation numbers don't exist in reality. There is no property of an atom that can be measured to check what the ON is. ON are just an accounting device that helps us to keep track of the electrons - a clever, and useful one, but without any experimental support.

However, we have defined how to calculate oxidation numbers, and we can calculate them following the rules. For different existing compounds we get different ONs for the nitrogen, neither is more real than the rest, they all exist only in our calculations.
 
Ok thank you so much! This means that the chemistry I'm learning is wrong...
 
Gjmdp said:
This means that the chemistry I'm learning is wrong...

Not necessarily. As I wrote - ON are quite useful for balancing redox equations, just don't treat them too seriously.
 

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