What is the oxidation number of Cu in CuSO4

Answer 1

In copper(II) sulfate (CuSO₄), the oxidation number of copper (Cu) is +2.

To determine this, we can analyze the components of CuSO₄:

• The sulfate ion (SO₄²⁻) has an overall charge of -2.
• In order for the compound to be electrically neutral, the oxidation number of Cu must balance out the -2 charge of the sulfate ion.

Thus, the oxidation number of Cu in CuSO₄ is +2.