In the reaction C₂H₄(g) + 3 O₂(g) → 2 CO₂(g) + 2 H₂O(g), carbon in C₂H₄ is oxidized.
Let's consider the following balanced redox reaction.
C₂H₄(g) + 3 O₂(g) → 2 CO₂(g) + 2 H₂O(g)
We will determine the oxidation numbers of carbon in different compounds, by considering that the sum of the oxidation numbers of the elements is equal to the charge of the compound (zero in neutral compounds).
The oxidation number of C in C₂H₄ is:
[tex]2 C + 4 H = 0\\\\2C + 4(1) = 0\\\\C = -2[/tex]
The oxidation number of C in CO₂ is:
[tex]C + 2 O = 0\\\\C + 2(-2) = 0\\\\C = 4[/tex]
As we can see, carbon is oxidized because its oxidation number increases from -2 to +4.
In the reaction C₂H₄(g) + 3 O₂(g) → 2 CO₂(g) + 2 H₂O(g), carbon in C₂H₄ is oxidized.
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