Question

How to calculate oxidation number of carbon in acetic acid?

Answer 1

in acetic acid {CH3COOH} there are 2 carbon atom

2 oxygen atom

4 hydrogen

we all of know that oxygen has -2 charge , hydrogen has +1 charge

suppose carbon C--> x

2C + 2O + 4H ====> 0

2x + 2(-2) + 4(1) ====> 0

2x - 4 + 4 =====> 0

2x =====> 0

x ===> 0

means oxydation no. of corbon in acetic acid is zero