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What is the oxidation state of an individual carbon atom in caco3?

User Jeryl Cook
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1 Answer

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Answer:

The oxidation state of the carbon is +4.

Step-by-step explanation:

Calcium is in group 2 of the periodic table, therefore, its oxidation state is +2.

The oxidation state of the oxygen is -2.

As the compound is neutral, the sum of the oxidation states of all atoms must be 0.

Oxidation State Ca + Oxidation State C + (Oxidation State O)×3 = 0

+2 + x + (-2)×3 = 0

2 + x - 6 = 0

x = 6 -2

x = 4

Hence, the oxidation state of the carbon is +4.

User Chris Lear
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