Question

Assign the oxidation number for (NH4)3PO4

Answer 1

N(-3)
N(+1)
P(+5)
O(-2)

-3*3+(+1)*12+(+5)+(-2)*4=-9+12+5-8 =0 -the sum of oxidation number in the molecule should be equal zero.

Answer 2

Explanation:

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In a salt, we must take into account that the sum of the oxidation numbers is equal to zero since the molecule is stable.

In this case the molecule is a salt and is (NH4) 3PO4

N = -3

H = + 1 (there are four atoms in total is +4)

(NH4) 3 = (- 3 + 4) * 3 = + 3

P = + 5

O = -2 (since there are 4 atoms in total it is -8)

PO4 = + 5-8 = -3

The total is: -3 + 3 = 0

We verify that the charges give a total of zero, so that our calculation is well done.