Does anybody know the oxidation number of phosphorus in H2PO4-?

The hydrogen is throwing my a bit off because I don't know what its oxidation number is, thus preventing me from figuring out what the oxidation number of phosphorus.

3 Answers

  • H has +1 charge.

    O has -2 charge.

    So....

    2(+1) + P + 4(-2) = -1

    2 - 8 + P= -1

    P=+5

  • +5

  • H is +1

    PO4 is a polyatomic ion and always is -3

    so it should be H3PO4

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