Question:
What is the oxidation number of carbon in methanal?
What is the oxidation number of carbon in methanal?
Show Hint
In neutral molecules, always set the sum of oxidation states to 0.
Updated On: Jun 19, 2026
- -2
- +2
- zero
- +4
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Concept
Methanal (formaldehyde) has the formula HCHO.
Step 2: Formula
Sum of oxidation numbers = 0. $2(H) + C + O = 0$
Step 3: Analysis
- $2(+1) + C + (-2) = 0$
- $2 + C - 2 = 0$
- $C = 0$
Step 4: Conclusion
Hence, the oxidation number of carbon is zero. Final Answer: (C)
Methanal (formaldehyde) has the formula HCHO.
Step 2: Formula
Sum of oxidation numbers = 0. $2(H) + C + O = 0$
Step 3: Analysis
- $2(+1) + C + (-2) = 0$
- $2 + C - 2 = 0$
- $C = 0$
Step 4: Conclusion
Hence, the oxidation number of carbon is zero. Final Answer: (C)
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Top MHT CET Chemistry Questions
- The temperature of $32^{\circ}C$ is equivalent to
- The heat of formation of water is $ 260\, kJ $ . How much $ H_2O $ is decomposed by $ 130\, kJ $ of heat ?
- If a metal crystallises in bcc structure with edge length of unit cell $4.29 \times 10^{-8}\, cm$ the radius of metal atom is
- Which of the following oxides can act both as an oxidising agent as well as reducing agent ?
- "The mass and energy both are conserved in an isolated system", is the statement of
View More Questions
Top MHT CET Oxidation Number Questions
- What is the oxidation state of chromium in the compound \( \text{Cr}_2\text{O}_3 \)?
- What is the maximum oxidation state of an element in the periodic table?
- The oxidation number of oxygen in peroxides is __.
- What is the oxidation number of sulfur in sulfuric acid (H$_2$SO$_4$)?
- What is the oxidation state of sulfur in \( \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \)?
View More Questions
Top MHT CET Questions
- During r- DNA technology, which one of the following enzymes is used for cleaving DNA molecule ?
- In non uniform circular motion, the ratio of tangential to radial acceleration is (r = radius of circle, $v =$ speed of the particle, $\alpha =$ angular acceleration)
- The temperature of $32^{\circ}C$ is equivalent to
- The line $5x + y - 1 = 0$ coincides with one of the lines given by $5x^2 + xy - kx - 2y + 2 = 0 $ then the value of k is
- The heat of formation of water is $ 260\, kJ $ . How much $ H_2O $ is decomposed by $ 130\, kJ $ of heat ?
View More Questions