Identify the oxidation number of carbon in the compound lithium carbonate.

The answer to your question is: + 4

Explanation:

Oxidation number of carbon in Li₂CO₃

To know the oxidation number of Carbon, first find the oxidation number of Li and Oxygen.

Li is located in group IA in the periodic table, and all the elements that belong to this group have an oxidation number of + 1.

O is located in group VIA in the periodic table, all the elements of this group have an oxidation number of - 2.

Also, consider that the sum of the oxidation numbers in a neutral molecule equals zero.

Then

Lithium = + 1 x 2 = + 2

Oxygen = - 2 x 3 = - 6

+2 + Carbon oxidation number - 6 = 0

Carbon oxidation number = 6 - 2

Carbon oxidation number = 4