In which of the following oxides of nitrogen, the oxidation state of the element is the lowest ?

Options

A. Nitric oxide
B. Nitrous oxide
C. Nitrogen dioxide
D. Nitrogen trioxide

Answer

B

Explanation

(a) Nitric oxide , NO x - 2 `= 0 implies x = + 2`
(b) Nitrous oxide ` , N_(2)O 2x - 2 = 0 implies x = + 1`
(c) Nitrogen dioxide , `NO_(2)`
x + 2(-2) = 0 `implies x = + 4`
(d) Nitrogen trioxide `NO_(3)`
`x + 2x (-3) = 0 implies x = + 6`
Thus , in nitrous oxide , oxidation number of nitrogen is lowest .