Calculate the oxidation number of the underlined element in the following ions.
`ul(P)O_(4)^(3-)`

Explanation

The oxidation number of the underlined element in the following ions are given below:
`ul(P)O_(4)^(3-)`: Let oxidation number of P be x, `O= -2`, as `ul(P)O_(4)^(3-)` has charge equal to `-3`, then sum of oxidation no. of all atoms is equal to `-3`. Therefore, `(x) + (-2) xx 4= -3`
`x= -3 + 8`
`x= +5`
Hence, oxidation number of P in `ul(P)O_(4)^(3-)`