Question

Carbon burns in air and forms two oxides CO and $C{O}_2$. This shows that carbon has :

• A. two allotropic forms.
• B. two oxidation states.
• C. two isotopes.
• D. 4 electrons in valence shell.

Answer 1

The correct option is B two oxidation states.

$C_{(}s)$ + $O_2$ $\to$ $C{O}_2$

Carbon burns in oxygen to form carbon dioxide.

$2C$ + $O_2$ $\to$ $2CO$

when the oxygen supply is restricted, combustion is incomplete and it forms carbon monoxide.

$CO$ and $C{O}_2$
+2 +4

so it shows that carbon have two different oxidation states.