Here's how to determine the oxidation numbers for each element in glycerol:
* Carbon (C): Each carbon atom has an oxidation number of -1.
* Hydrogen (H): Each hydrogen atom has an oxidation number of +1.
* Oxygen (O): Each oxygen atom has an oxidation number of -2.
To verify this, you can use the following:
1. The sum of the oxidation numbers for all atoms in a neutral molecule must equal zero.
2. The sum of the oxidation numbers for all atoms in a polyatomic ion must equal the charge of the ion.
In glycerol, there are three carbons, eight hydrogens, and three oxygens:
(3 x -1) + (8 x +1) + (3 x -2) = 0
Therefore, the oxidation numbers for each element in glycerol are:
* Carbon: -1
* Hydrogen: +1
* Oxygen: -2
