Sure, let's calculate the oxidation numbers of the atoms in sodium chlorite (NaClO₂).
### Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Identify the known oxidation numbers:
- Sodium (Na) usually has an oxidation number of +1.
- Oxygen (O) typically has an oxidation number of -2.
2. Let the oxidation number of chlorine (Cl) be [tex]\(x\)[/tex].
3. Set up the equation for the sum of the oxidation numbers in the compound:
- Sodium chlorite (NaClO₂) is a neutral molecule, so the sum of the oxidation numbers of all atoms must equal 0.
- The formula of sodium chlorite is NaClO₂. Thus, we get:
[tex]\[
\text{Oxidation number of Na} + \text{Oxidation number of Cl} + 2 \times \text{Oxidation number of O} = 0
\][/tex]
4. Substitute the known values into the equation:
- Using the known oxidation numbers:
[tex]\[
1 + x + 2 \times (-2) = 0
\][/tex]
5. Solve for [tex]\(x\)[/tex] (the oxidation number of chlorine):
- Simplify the equation step-by-step:
[tex]\[
1 + x - 4 = 0
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
x - 3 = 0
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
x = +3
\][/tex]
- Therefore, the oxidation number of chlorine (Cl) in sodium chlorite is +3.
### Conclusion:
- The oxidation number of sodium (Na) is +1.
- The oxidation number of oxygen (O) is -2.
- The oxidation number of chlorine (Cl) is +3.
### Verification:
- Summing these oxidation numbers:
[tex]\[
1 + 3 + 2 \times (-2) = 1 + 3 - 4 = 0
\][/tex]
- The oxidation numbers add up to 0, confirming that the calculations are correct for the neutral compound.
Thus, the oxidation numbers are:
- Sodium (Na): +1
- Oxygen (O): -2
- Chlorine (Cl): +3
Total oxidation state balance: 0
