JAMB - Chemistry (2008 - No. 22)
The oxidation state of carbon in HCOOH is
-1
+2
+3
zero
Paliwanag
HCOOH
O.N of H + O.N of C + 2* O.N of oxygen of
H = 0
1 + X + 2X - 2 + 1 = 0
2 + X -4 = 0
X = 4 - 2 = +2
O.N of H + O.N of C + 2* O.N of oxygen of
H = 0
1 + X + 2X - 2 + 1 = 0
2 + X -4 = 0
X = 4 - 2 = +2