Question

oxidation number of C in C2H5OH

Answer 1

Oxidation number is a number assigned to an element in a chemical combination that represents the number of electrons to be lost or gained by an atom to attain the oxidation state. To determine the oxidation number in C2H5OH, 

Here 6 hydrogen atoms are present, so +1*6 = +6. O = -2 

Thus, +6-2 = +4 

Here 2 carbon atoms are present in the equation. To reach oxidation state 2C = -4 

C = -2. 

Hence, the oxidation number of C is -2 

Answer 2

Answer: C = -2

Explanation:

C2H5OH

let  oxidation number be x

we know its +1 for H and -2 for O

∴ 2(x) + (+1)5+(-2)1+(+1)1=0

⇒2x+5 -2+1=0

⇒2x+4=0

⇒2x= -4

⇒x= -2