What is the oxidation number for each element in CuCO3 (the three is a subscript) and how did you find it?

I know that oxygen is -2 in this but how can I find out the oxidation numbers of the other two elements?

1 Answer

  • 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

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