What is the Oxidation Number of Carbon in CO2

Answer: The oxidation number is a positive, negative, or neutral statement that expresses the charge of an atom’s gained and lost electrons.

Let x represent C’s oxidation number or state in CO₂.

Because the overall charge of CO₂ is 0, the total of all elements’ oxidation states should also be 0 where we know the oxidation state of oxygen is -2. Thus,

x+2(-2)=0  or, x=+4  

As a result, carbon in CO₂ has an oxidation number of +4.