Question

How does the oxidation number change for copper in step one?

Answer 1

You have stumped us here! Where is `"step 1"`?

Explanation:

Copper metal can undergo several redox transformations:

`Cu rarr Cu^+ + e^-`

`Cu rarr Cu^(2+) + 2e^(-)`

`Cu^(3+)` is known, but not at A level or undergraduate level.

Of course, the standard electrochemistry tables report reductions, not oxidations. What transformations are shown here?