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

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