What is the oxidation number CH4?

Answer 1

In methane, also known as CH4, the carbon and hydrogen share valence electrons in a covalent bond. Each hydrogen atom shares its single electron with the carbon atom, while the carbon atom which has four valence electrons shares one electron with each of the hydrogen atoms. Carbon is more electronegative than hydrogen, so we can describe this is carbon oxidizing to -4, and hydrogen to +1. Although the electrons are shared, they spend more time closer to the carbon nucleus.

Added:

Following the normal rules (IUPAC) H is always +1 except when bonded to a metal.

Added:

If in normal cases the oxidation number of H is supposed to be +1 (except in most hydrides), then with the total of oxidation numbers of all atoms in a compound equalling the total charge thereof, the oxidation number if carbon in CH4 is -4 because:

[ OxC + 4*(+1) ] = 0, so OxC = 0 - 4*1 = -4

Some examples:

In the same way OxC can be calculated in ethane, C2H6, it is -3

and in benzene, C6H6, it is -1

In CO2: OxC = +4 , when OxO = -2, valid for all oxides, except peroxides)

Answer 2

The equation is...

CH4 + 2O2 = CO2 + 2H20

Answer 3

Methane is CH4- if assigning oxication numbers to each element:

Carbon has an oxidation number of -4

Hydrogen has an oxidation number of +1

Answer 4

Carbon has the oxidation number -4, and hydrogen has the oxidation number +1. That add up to 0, which is the charge of CH4 (i.e. no charge).

Answer 5

C = -4 oxidation state

H = +1 oxidation state

Answer 6

Ch4 + 2o2 --> co2 + 2h2o

Answer 7

Methane does not have a charge.