Justify that the following reactions are redox reactions:
4 NH3(g) + 5 O2 (g) → 4NO(g) + 6H2O(g)
Let us write the oxidation number of each element involved in the given reaction as:
In NH3, N = -3 & H = + 1
In NO, N = + 2 & O = -2
In H2O, H = + 1 &O = -2
In O2, O = 0
Here, the oxidation number of N increases from -3 in NH3 to + 2 in NO. on the other hand, the O.N. of O2 decreases from 0 to -2 i.e. O2 is reduced.
Hence, the given reaction is a redox reaction.