Determining the Oxidation State of Barium and Nitrogen in Barium Nitrate

Barium nitrate, represented by the chemical formula Ba(NO3)2, is a common inorganic compound used in various applications. Understanding the oxidation states of its constituent elements, barium (Ba) and nitrogen (N), is crucial in comprehending its chemical behavior and properties.

The Oxidation State of Barium (Ba)

Barium is an alkaline earth metal and is typically found in a 2 oxidation state. This is a standard oxidation state for alkaline earth metals. Therefore, in the compound Ba(NO3)2, the oxidation number of barium is 2.

The Oxidation State of Nitrogen (N) in Nitrate Ions (NO3?)

The nitrate ion (NO3?) has a fixed charge of -1. To determine the oxidation state of nitrogen in this ion, we need to consider the oxidation states of the individual elements and the overall charge balance.

The chemical formula for the nitrate ion is NO3?. We know:

Nitrogen (N) typically has an oxidation state of 5 in such compounds. Each oxygen (O) has an oxidation state of -2. There are three oxygen atoms in the nitrate ion.

The net oxidation state of the oxygen atoms would be 3 × (-2) -6. Since the overall charge of the nitrate ion is -1, we can set up the following equation to solve for the oxidation state of nitrogen (N):

X - 6 -1

Solving for X gives:

X 5

Therefore, the oxidation state of nitrogen in the nitrate ion (NO3?) is 5.

Confirming the Oxidation States with Charge Balance

To ensure the accuracy of the oxidation states, we can sum up the oxidation states of all elements in the compound Ba(NO3)2 and check if it equals zero (since the compound is neutral).

Barium (Ba): 2
Nitrogen (N): 2 × ( 5) 10
Two nitrate ions (NO3?): 2 × (-1) -2

Summing these values:

2 10 - 2 10 - 2 8 - 6 0

This confirms that the oxidation states are correct, as they sum to zero, indicating a neutral compound.

Conclusion

By following the rules and equations for determining oxidation states, we can conclude that in barium nitrate Ba(NO3)2, barium (Ba) has an oxidation state of 2 and nitrogen (N) in each nitrate ion has an oxidation state of 5.

Additional Information

For a more detailed understanding, it's important to know that:

The nitrate ion (NO3?) is a common ion used in various applications, from fertilizers to explosives. Barium nitrate is used in fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices due to its distinctive green flame color. The oxidation states play a crucial role in the chemical reactions and stability of the compound.

Understanding the oxidation states helps in predicting and explaining the chemical behavior and interactions of barium nitrate in different environments and applications.