When zinc reacts with very dilute HNO3, the oxidation state of nitrogen changes from: — p Block Elements Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: When zinc reacts with very dilute nitric acid (HNO3), the nitric acid is reduced to ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3). Step 2: The reaction is: 4Zn + 10HNO3 (very dilute) -> 4Zn(NO3)2 + NH4NO3 + 3H2O. Step 3: The oxidation state of nitrogen in the nitrate reactant (HNO3) is +5, and in the ammonium product (NH4^+) it is -3. Thus, the oxidation state changes from +5 to -3, matching option (b).