I know that oxygen is -2 in this but how can I find out the oxidation numbers of the other two elements?
1 Answer
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Interesting how this was put in the Mathematics section, but never fear
CO3 is a -2 ion which make Cu a +2 ion (the molecule is ionically balanced)
And since CO3 is all together -2 and each oxygen is -2
3(-2) + oxidation of C = -2
Oxidation number of C = -2 - (3)(-2) = +4
In summary:
Cu = +2
Each O = -2
C = +4