What is the oxidation number for H3PO4?

1 ⤊

THe 3 and the 4 are both subscript

2006-11-28 09:21:25 · 2 answers · asked by Cheryl F 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry

H has an oxidation number of +1
PO4 has an oxidation number of -3.
It doesn't make sense to talk about the oxidation number of the whole compound.

2006-11-28 09:24:14 · answer #1 · answered by bictor717 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋

the H's are +1
the P is +5
the O's are -2

it should and does add up to zero for the whole molecule

2006-11-28 09:25:20 · answer #2 · answered by Greg G 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋