Assign an oxidation number to each element in the reaction. co(g) + 2h2(g) → ch3oh(g) in co, the oxidation number of c is _, and that of o is _. in h2, the oxidation number of h is _. in ch3oh, the oxidation number of c is _, that of o is _, and that of h is _.

Oxidation number or oxidation state denotes the number of electrons lost or gained by an atom when it forms a chemical bond with another atom.

In general:

-the oxidation number for a free element is zero

- the oxidation number for H = +1 when attached to non-metal and -1 when attached to a metal

-The oxidation number for O is -2 most of the time

- for a neutral molecule, the sum of the oxidation number = 0

The given reaction is:

CO + 2H2 → CH3OH

1) In CO, the oxidation number of C = +2 and O = -2

2) In H2, the oxidation number of H = 0

3) In CH3OH, the oxidation number of C = +1, H = +1 and O = -2

In CH3OH - C has an oxidation number of -3, the oxidation number of O is -2 while the oxidation number of H is +1.

The oxidation number of an atom in a compound is a charge that it appears to have as determined by some arbitrarily rules. The oxidation state of each atom in the compound are;

In CH3OH - C has an oxidation number of -3, the oxidation number of O is -2 while the oxidation number of H is +1.

Hence, the oxidation number of atoms in a compound are determined by some arbitrary rules.

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