Question #30c1c

1 Answer
BRIAN M. · Dwayne M.
Nov 5, 2014

The oxidation states of the #C_2O_4^-2# ion are
#C^(+3)# and #O^-2#.

Explanation:

#C_2O_4# oxalate is a polyatomic ion with a charge of -2.

The oxygen atoms in this molecule have a oxidation state of -2, vecause oxygen is always a -2 charge. Since there are 4 atoms of oxygen the overall charge of the oxygen atoms is 4(-2) = -8.

Since the total charge of oxalate is -2 the charge created by the carbon atoms must be +6. (-8 +6 = -2) this means that each carbon atom must have an oxidation state of +3. (+6/2 = +3)

The oxidation states of the #C_2O_4^-2# ion are
#C^(+3)# and #O^-2#

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