chem mcq help please

Hi,

Please could I have some help on this question please? I think all the statements are wrong, for statement 1, the oxidation state of nitrogen in NO2 is +4 and in NO +2 so it is only being reduced but not oxidised? For statement 2, the oxidation state of hydrogen ions remains +1 so it is not oxidised and for statement 3, the hydrogen ions are not regenerated so it cannot behave as a catalyst?
I know my answer is wrong but I'm unsure where my reasoning is incorrect.

Here is the question: https://www.imghippo.com/i/FZYX4486Mc.png

Thank you!

Reply 1

Pigster

Original post by anonymous56754

Hi,
Please could I have some help on this question please? I think all the statements are wrong, for statement 1, the oxidation state of nitrogen in NO2 is +4 and in NO +2 so it is only being reduced but not oxidised? For statement 2, the oxidation state of hydrogen ions remains +1 so it is not oxidised and for statement 3, the hydrogen ions are not regenerated so it cannot behave as a catalyst?
I know my answer is wrong but I'm unsure where my reasoning is incorrect.
Here is the question: https://www.imghippo.com/i/FZYX4486Mc.png
Thank you!

Where is the from? Is it one your teacher wrote?

The equation isn't balanced! Where the hell has the +ve charge gone?

None of the options are correct.

Reply 2

hedhoj

Original post by Pigster

Where is the from? Is it one your teacher wrote?
The equation isn't balanced! Where the hell has the +ve charge gone?
None of the options are correct.

This looks similar to uni entrance exams. I'd imagine there's a "None of the options are correct" answer below.
Also, there's a negative sign missing from the nitrite ions. The equation is balanced, its just written wrong.

(edited 6 months ago)

Reply 3

Pigster

Original post by hedhoj

I didn't actually bother to read the text ☹️ The error in the Q makes sense, now.

Since we're starting off with NO2^-, then disproportionation is taking place and the 1st option is (should be) correct.

Reply 4

anonymous56754

Ohhh thank you everyone, it was from an as chemistry past paper, I think the signs didn’t appear in the paper for some reason!

Reply 5

Nitrotoluene

Original post by anonymous56754

Hi,
Please could I have some help on this question please? I think all the statements are wrong, for statement 1, the oxidation state of nitrogen in NO2 is +4 and in NO +2 so it is only being reduced but not oxidised? For statement 2, the oxidation state of hydrogen ions remains +1 so it is not oxidised and for statement 3, the hydrogen ions are not regenerated so it cannot behave as a catalyst?
I know my answer is wrong but I'm unsure where my reasoning is incorrect.
Here is the question: https://www.imghippo.com/i/FZYX4486Mc.png
Thank you!

Statement 1
For me, too, the correct statement is "Some nitrogen atoms are oxidised and some nitrogen atoms are reduced."
Obviously I solved the exercise to reach this conclusion. The calculations are available for those who want them.

Bye,
Sandro

(edited 5 months ago)