Find the Oxidation Numbers CaC

$C a C$

Step 1

Since $C a$ is in column $2$ of the periodic table, it will share $2$ electrons and use an oxidation state of $2$ .

$C a = 1 (2) = 2$

Step 2

Since $C$ is in column $4$ of the periodic table, it will share $4$ electrons and use an oxidation state of $4$ .

$C = 1 (- 4) = - 4$

Step 3

This is the full list of oxidation states for this molecule.

$C a = 2, C = - 4$