Calculate the oxidation no. of Sb in `SbCl_3` and Bi in `BiCl_3`.

Answer

To calculate the oxidation number of antimony (Sb) in SbCl₃ and bismuth (Bi) in BiCl₃, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Determine the oxidation number of Sb in SbCl₃

1. **Assume the oxidation number of Sb**: Let the oxidation number of Sb be \( X \).
2. **Identify the oxidation number of Cl**: The oxidation number of chlorine (Cl) is -1.
3. **Set up the equation**: Since there are three chlorine atoms in SbCl₃, the total contribution from chlorine is \( 3 \times (-1) = -3 \).
4. **Write the equation for the compound**: The overall charge of the compound is neutral (0), so we can write the equation:
\[ X + (-3) = 0 \]
5. **Solve for X**: Rearranging the equation gives:
\[ X - 3 = 0 \implies X = +3 \]
6. **Conclusion**: The oxidation number of Sb in SbCl₃ is +3.

### Step 2: Determine the oxidation number of Bi in BiCl₃

1. **Assume the oxidation number of Bi**: Let the oxidation number of Bi be \( Y \).
2. **Identify the oxidation number of Cl**: Again, the oxidation number of chlorine (Cl) is -1.
3. **Set up the equation**: Since there are three chlorine atoms in BiCl₃, the total contribution from chlorine is \( 3 \times (-1) = -3 \).
4. **Write the equation for the compound**: The overall charge of the compound is neutral (0), so we can write the equation:
\[ Y + (-3) = 0 \]
5. **Solve for Y**: Rearranging the equation gives:
\[ Y - 3 = 0 \implies Y = +3 \]
6. **Conclusion**: The oxidation number of Bi in BiCl₃ is +3.

### Final Answer
- The oxidation number of Sb in SbCl₃ is +3.
- The oxidation number of Bi in BiCl₃ is +3.