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Chapter 49: Problem 4

Is a species that has an atom for which there is an increase in oxidation number oxidized or reduced? Is that species the oxidizing agent or the reducing agent?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The species in question, which has an increase in oxidation number, is oxidised and acts as the reducing agent.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Oxidation and Reduction

The terms 'oxidation' and 'reduction' refer to processes where there is a change in the number of electrons an atom has. If an atom loses electrons, it's said to be oxidized. If it gains electrons, it's reduced. Hence, a species that has an increase in oxidation number is being oxidized, as it is losing electrons.
02

Understand Reducing and Oxidizing Agents

A reducing agent loses electrons and is oxidised, while an oxidizing agent gains electrons and is reduced. Since our species is being oxidized, it is losing electrons and therefore it is behaving as a reducing agent.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

In which of the following are the oxidation number and the partial charge the same number? \(\mathrm{MgO} ; \mathrm{CO}_{2} ; \mathrm{NaF} ; \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} ; \mathrm{CCl}_{4} ; \mathrm{NiCl}_{2}\).

Describe, in grammatically correct English sentences, how one can determine whether or not a reaction is an oxidation-reduction reaction.

Which is the better representation of the actual charge on an atom in a moleculethe formal charge; the partial charge; the oxidation state? Why?
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