Answer: Phosphorus is getting oxidized and nitrogen is getting reduced.
Explanation:
Oxidation reaction is defined as the reaction in which a substance looses its electron. The oxidation state of the substance gets increased.
Reduction reaction is defined as the reaction in which a substance gains electrons. The oxidation state of the substance gets reduced.
For the given chemical reaction:
[tex]HNO_3+P\rightarrow H_3PO_4+NO[/tex]
On reactant side:
Oxidation state of Hydrogen = +1
Oxidation state of Phosphorus = 0
Oxidation state of Nitrogen = +5
Oxidation state of Oxygen = -2
On product side:
Oxidation state of Hydrogen = +1
Oxidation state of Phosphorus = +5
Oxidation state of Nitrogen = +2
Oxidation state of Oxygen = -2
As, the oxidation state of phosphorus is getting increased from 0 to +5, this is getting oxidized and the oxidation state of nitrogen is getting reduced from +5 to +2, this is getting reduced.
Hence, phosphorus is getting oxidized and nitrogen is getting reduced.
