What is the difference in oxidation state of nitrogen in between hydroxyl amine `(NH_(2)OH)` and hydrazine `(N_(2)H_(4))` ?

Options

A. `+5`
B. `+3`
C. `-3`
D. 1

Answer

To find the difference in oxidation state of nitrogen in hydroxylamine (NH₂OH) and hydrazine (N₂H₄), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Determine the oxidation state of nitrogen in hydroxylamine (NH₂OH)

1. **Assign variables**: Let the oxidation state of nitrogen be \( x \).
2. **Count contributions from hydrogen and hydroxyl group**:
- There are 2 hydrogen atoms, each contributing \( +1 \) (total \( +2 \)).
- The hydroxyl group (OH) contributes \( -1 \).
3. **Set up the equation**: The sum of oxidation states must equal zero (since the molecule is neutral):
\[ x + 2 - 1 = 0 \]
4. **Solve for \( x \)**:
\[ x + 1 = 0 \implies x = -1 \]
Therefore, the oxidation state of nitrogen in hydroxylamine is \( -1 \).

### Step 2: Determine the oxidation state of nitrogen in hydrazine (N₂H₄)

1. **Assign variables**: Let the oxidation state of each nitrogen atom be \( x \). Since there are 2 nitrogen atoms, we have \( 2x \).
2. **Count contributions from hydrogen**:
- There are 4 hydrogen atoms, each contributing \( +1 \) (total \( +4 \)).
3. **Set up the equation**: The sum of oxidation states must equal zero:
\[ 2x + 4 = 0 \]
4. **Solve for \( x \)**:
\[ 2x = -4 \implies x = -2 \]
Therefore, the oxidation state of nitrogen in hydrazine is \( -2 \).

### Step 3: Calculate the difference in oxidation states

1. **Find the difference**:
\[ \text{Difference} = \text{Oxidation state in hydrazine} - \text{Oxidation state in hydroxylamine} \]
\[ = (-2) - (-1) = -2 + 1 = -1 \]

### Conclusion

The difference in oxidation state of nitrogen between hydroxylamine and hydrazine is \( -1 \).

### Final Answer
The difference in oxidation state of nitrogen in hydroxylamine (NH₂OH) and hydrazine (N₂H₄) is \( +1 \) (as the question asks for the absolute difference).

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