To determine the oxidation state of carbon in ethanol C2H5OH , we can assign oxidation numbers to each atom in the molecule. The oxidation state of hydrogen is +1, and the oxidation state of oxygen is -2. The molecule has two carbon atoms, so let's assign their oxidation states as x and y.C2H5OH: C x - C y - H - H - H - O - HFor the carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms C x H3 , we have:x + 3 +1 = 0x = -3For the carbon atom bonded to the oxygen atom C y OH , we have:y + -2 + 1 = 0y = +1So, the oxidation states of the two carbon atoms in ethanol are -3 and +1.Now, let's show the electron transfer steps involved in the oxidation of ethanol to acetic acid CH3COOH .Ethanol C2H5OH is oxidized to acetaldehyde CH3CHO first. The balanced half-reaction for this step is:C2H5OH + H2O -> CH3CHO + 4H+ + 4e-Next, acetaldehyde CH3CHO is further oxidized to acetic acid CH3COOH . The balanced half-reaction for this step is:CH3CHO + H2O -> CH3COOH + 2H+ + 2e-In summary, the oxidation state of carbon in ethanol is -3 for the carbon bonded to three hydrogen atoms and +1 for the carbon bonded to the oxygen atom. The electron transfer steps involved in the oxidation of ethanol to acetic acid are represented by the two balanced half-reactions above.