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Question:

Which ordering of compounds is according to the decreasing order of the oxidation state of nitrogen?

HNO3,NO,NH4Cl,N2

NO,HNO3,NH4Cl,N2

HNO3,NO,N2,NH4Cl

HNO3,NH4Cl,NO,N2

Solution:

The oxidation states of nitrogen are given below:

HNO3: Let the oxidation state of N be x.
Then, x + 3(-2) + 1(1) = 0
x - 6 + 1 = 0
x = +5

NO: Let the oxidation state of N be x.
Then, x + 1(-2) = 0
x - 2 = 0
x = +2

NH4Cl: Let the oxidation state of N be x.
Then, x + 4(+1) + 1(-1) = 0
x + 4 - 1 = 0
x = -3

N2: Oxidation state of N = 0

Therefore, the decreasing order of oxidation state of nitrogen is:
HNO3 (+5) > NO (+2) > N2 (0) > NH4Cl (-3)

Hence, the correct order is HNO3, NO, N2, NH4Cl