Question

What is the oxidation state of $\mathrm{C}$ in the product obtained during the following reaction?

$\mathrm{ZnO}+\mathrm{C}\to \mathrm{Zn}+\mathrm{CO}$

Answer 1

Oxidation number: Oxidation number denotes the oxidation state of an element in a compound ascertained according to a set of rules formulated on the basis that electron pair in a covalent bond belongs entirely to a more electronegative element.

Calculating the oxidation state of Carbon(C) in the product:

Chemical reaction: $\underset{\mathrm{Zinc}\mathrm{oxide}}{\mathrm{ZnO}}+\underset{\mathrm{Carbon}}{\mathrm{C}}\to \underset{\mathrm{Zinc}}{\mathrm{Zn}}+\underset{\mathrm{Carbon}\mathrm{monoxide}}{\mathrm{CO}}$

Now, the compound of carbon on the product side is Carbon monoxide(CO).

The oxidation state of Oxygen(O) = -2

Consider the oxidation state of Carbon(C) = x

Now,

$$\begin{gathered} x+\left(-2\right)=0 \\ x=+2 \end{gathered}$$

Hence, the oxidation number of carbon in Carbon monoxide is $+2$.