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Chapter 8: Problem 133

Give equations to show that molecular hydrogen can act both as a reducing agent and an oxidizing agent.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Hydrogen acts as a reducing agent in the reaction with oxygen to form water \(2H_2(g) + O_2(g) \rightarrow 2H_2O(l)\). Meanwhile, it acts as an oxidizing agent in the reaction with sodium hydride to form hydrogen gas and sodium \(2NaH(s) + H_2(g) \rightarrow 2Na(s) + 2H_2(g)\).

Step by step solution

01

Showing Hydrogen as a Reducing Agent

To show that hydrogen acts as a reducing agent, we need to find an example where it donates its hydrogen atoms to another species. A typical case is a reaction of hydrogen with oxygen to form water. In this reaction, hydrogen reduces oxygen by donating its electrons to form \(H_2O\). The equation is as follows: \(2H_2(g) + O_2(g) \rightarrow 2H_2O(l)\). This shows that hydrogen can act as a reducing agent.
02

Showing Hydrogen as an Oxidizing Agent

To demonstrate that hydrogen can act as an oxidizing agent, we need an example where it accepts hydrogen atoms from another species. Sodium hydride (NaH) reaction with hydrogen is an appropriate example. In this case, hydrogen oxidizes sodium hydride by accepting its electrons to form hydrogen gas and sodium. The chemical equation can be written as: \(2NaH(s) + H_2(g) \rightarrow 2Na(s) + 2H_2(g)\). This illustrates that hydrogen also can act as an oxidizing agent.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Arrange the following atoms in order of decreasing atomic radius: \(\mathrm{Na}, \mathrm{Al}, \mathrm{P}, \mathrm{Cl}, \mathrm{Mg} .\)

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