What is the primary oxidation state of carbon in carbon dioxide (CO2)? (2020)
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the primary oxidation state of carbon in carbon dioxide (CO2)? (2020)
+2
+4
0
-4
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the primary oxidation state of carbon in carbon dioxide (CO2)? (2020)
Step 1: Understand what oxidation state means. It is a number that represents the total number of electrons that an atom can gain, lose, or share when it forms chemical bonds.
Step 2: Identify the chemical formula of carbon dioxide, which is CO2. This means it has one carbon atom (C) and two oxygen atoms (O).
Step 3: Know the common oxidation state of oxygen, which is usually -2.
Step 4: Since there are two oxygen atoms in CO2, calculate the total oxidation state contributed by oxygen: 2 oxygen atoms × -2 = -4.
Step 5: The overall charge of a neutral molecule like CO2 is 0. Therefore, the oxidation state of carbon must balance the -4 from the oxygen atoms.
Step 6: To find the oxidation state of carbon, set up the equation: Carbon's oxidation state + Total oxidation state of oxygen = 0.
Step 7: Let the oxidation state of carbon be x. So, x + (-4) = 0.
Step 8: Solve for x: x = +4.
Step 9: Conclude that the primary oxidation state of carbon in carbon dioxide (CO2) is +4.
