What are the oxidation numbers of carbon in CO₂ and CO₃^2-, respectively? A) +2, +6 B) +4, +4 C) -4, -4 D) +4, +6 E) -4, -6

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In both compounds, the oxidation state of oxygen is -2 (Oxygen generally has an oxidation number of -2) In CO₂, there is only one carbon atom, and the total charge of the compound is 0. Therefore, the oxidation state of sulfur must be +2. We can set up the equation: Carbon + 2(Oxygen) + Sulfur = 0 Carbon + (-4) + 2 = 0 Carbon = +2 So the oxidation state of carbon in CO₂ is +2. In CO₃^2-, there is one carbon and one phosphorus. The total charge of the compound is 0. Therefore: Carbon + 3(Oxygen) + Sulfur + Phosphorus = 0 Carbon + (-6) + 2 + (-2) + Phosphorus = 0 Carbon + Phosphorus = +4 We know that the oxidation state of oxygen and sulfur is -2 and +2, respectively, so we can substitute their values: Carbon + 3(-2) + (2) + (-2) + Phosphorus = 0 Carbon - 2 + Phosphorus = 0 Carbon + Phosphorus = +2 Now, we can solve for the oxidation state of phosphorus: Carbon + Phosphorus = +2 +2 + Phosphorus = +2 Phosphorus = 0 Therefore, the oxidation state of carbon in CO₃^2- is +4.

What Are the Oxidation Numbers of Carbon in CO2 and CO32-

What Are the Oxidation Numbers of Carbon in CO₂ and CO₃^2-