Question 16.1: Identifying Oxidation and Reduction Identify the substance b......
Identifying Oxidation and Reduction
Identify the substance being oxidized and the substance being reduced in each reaction.
(a) 2\,{\mathrm{Mg}}(s)+{\mathrm{O_{2}(g)}}\longrightarrow2\,{\mathrm{Mg}}\mathrm{O}(s)
(b) \mathrm{Fe}(s)+\mathrm{Cl_{2}(g})\longrightarrow\mathrm{FeCl}_{2}(s)
(c) \mathrm{Zn}(s)+\mathrm{{Fe}}^{2+}(a q)\longrightarrow\mathrm{{Zn}}^{2+}(a q)+\mathrm{{Fe}}(s)
(a) Magnesium is gaining oxygen and losing electrons to oxygen. Mg is therefore oxidized, and \mathrm{O}_{2} is reduced.
(b) A metal (Fe) is reacting with an electronegative nonmetal (\mathrm{Cl}_{2}). Fe loses electrons and is therefore oxidized, while \mathrm{Cl}_{2} gains electrons and is therefore reduced.
(c) Electrons are transferred from the Zn to the \mathrm{Fe}^{2+}. Zn loses electrons and is oxidized. \mathrm{Fe}^{2+} gains electrons and is reduced.