Question

In the following reaction is $C$ reduced? $2C + {O_2} \to 2CO$

Answer 1

Carbon, and oxygen atoms react with each other to form a compound known as carbon monoxide with the molecular formula of $CO$ . Some atoms gain electrons, and some atoms lose electrons. The atom that can lose electrons undergoes oxidation and the atom that can gain electrons undergoes reduction.

Complete answer:
Carbon is an element with atomic number $6$ , the chemical symbol of carbon is $C$ .
Oxygen is an element with atomic number $8$ , the chemical symbol of oxygen is $O$ .
Carbon and oxygen atoms react with each other and form different compounds like carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. Based on the composition of those atoms, these chemical compounds can be formed.
Carbon monoxide is a chemical compound consisting of carbon, and hydrogen with the molecular formula of $CO$ .
In the molecules, the atom's oxidation state has to be determined.
The balanced chemical equation of carbon, and oxygen to form carbon monoxide is $2C + {O_2} \to 2CO$
At first, the carbon atom has zero oxidation state. Oxygen also has a zero oxidation state. But in a carbon monoxide molecule, carbon has $+ 2$ oxidation state and oxygen has a $- 2$ oxidation state.
Thus, carbon loses electrons and gets oxidised. Oxygen gains electrons and gets reduced.
In the given reaction, $C$ is oxidized.

Note:
Atoms in a single state have the zero-oxidation state. Thus, the carbon atom in the given reaction has zero oxidation state. The diatomic molecule like oxygen gas, nitrogen gas has also zero oxidation state. When oxidation state is changed from zero to negative, it is considered as reduced and changed from zero to positive value it is considered as oxidised.