Determine the oxidation number of carbon in K2CO3?

Question

Determine the oxidation number of carbon in K2CO3

Answer 1

Same answer, different setup. We know that the sum of the oxidation numbers is zero for a compound like potassium carbonate.

Create an algebraic equation by multiplying the subscripts times the oxidation number of a single element.

+2 +x -6 = 0

+1 +x -2

K2 C O3

Solve for x

x = +4

Answer 2

There are 3 oxygens @ -2 each and 2 K's @ +1 each which gives -4, so the carbon is +4 to make it come out neutral.