/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 6 Which of the following is the be... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

Which of the following is the best reducing agent: \(\mathrm{F}_{2}, \mathrm{H}_{2}, \mathrm{Na}\), \(\mathrm{Na}^{+}, \mathrm{F}^{-}\) ? Explain. Order as many of these species as possible from the best to the worst oxidizing agent. Why can't you order all of them? From Table \(18.1\) choose the species that is the best oxidizing agent. Choose the best reducing agent. Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Among the given species, sodium \((\mathrm{Na})\) is the best reducing agent, and fluorine \((\mathrm{F}_{2})\) is the best oxidizing agent. This is because \(\mathrm{Na}\) has a higher tendency to lose electrons and get oxidized, while \(\mathrm{F}_{2}\) has a greater ability to gain electrons and get reduced due to its electronegativity. From Table 18.1, the strongest reducing agent is lithium \((\mathrm{Li})\), and the strongest oxidizing agent remains to be fluorine \((\mathrm{F}_{2})\).

Step by step solution

01

Identify the given species

The given species are: \(\mathrm{F}_{2}, \mathrm{H}_{2}, \mathrm{Na}, \mathrm{Na}^{+}, \mathrm{F}^{-}\).
02

Determine the best reducing agent

To determine the best reducing agent, we need to consider which species has the greatest tendency to lose electrons and get oxidized. Since metallic elements, such as sodium \((\mathrm{Na})\), are more likely to lose electrons and form cations, \(\mathrm{Na}\) can be considered the best reducing agent among the given species.
03

Order as oxidizing agents

Now, we need to order the given species based on their oxidizing ability. The order will be as follows: 1. \(\mathrm{F}_{2}\) 2. \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\) The \(\mathrm{F}_{2}\) is the strongest oxidizing agent among the given species, as it is the most electronegative element and thus has the highest tendency to gain electrons. The \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\) is second in the list of oxidizing agents, as it can gain electrons to form \(\mathrm{H}^-\) ions. We cannot order the other species because \(\mathrm{Na}\) is not an oxidizing agent and will not gain electrons, and the remaining ions \(\mathrm{Na}^{+}\) and \(\mathrm{F}^-\) are already in their oxidized and reduced forms, respectively.
04

Choose the best oxidizing agent and reducing agent from Table 18.1

From Table 18.1, we can determine the strongest reducing and oxidizing agents: Best oxidizing agent: \(\mathrm{F}_2\) Best reducing agent: \(\mathrm{Li}\) (lithium is at the top of the reactivity series) In summary, among the given species, \(\mathrm{Na}\) is the best reducing agent, while \(\mathrm{F}_{2}\) is the best oxidizing agent. From Table 18.1, the strongest reducing agent is \(\mathrm{Li}\), and the strongest oxidizing agent is still \(\mathrm{F}_{2}\).

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Specify which of the following equations represent oxidationreduction reactions, and indicate the oxidizing agent, the reducing agent, the species being oxidized, and the species being reduced. a. \(\mathrm{CH}_{4}(g)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(g) \rightarrow \mathrm{CO}(g)+3 \mathrm{H}_{2}(g)\) b. \(2 \mathrm{AgNO}_{3}(a q)+\mathrm{Cu}(s) \rightarrow \mathrm{Cu}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{2}(a q)+2 \mathrm{Ag}(s)\) c. \(\mathrm{Zn}(s)+2 \mathrm{HCl}(a q) \rightarrow \mathrm{ZnCl}_{2}(a q)+\mathrm{H}_{2}(g)\) d. \(2 \mathrm{H}^{+}(a q)+2 \mathrm{CrO}_{4}^{2-}(a q) \rightarrow \mathrm{Cr}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{7}^{2-}(a q)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l)\)

You want to "plate out" nickel metal from a nickel nitrate solution onto a piece of metal inserted into the solution. Should you use copper or zinc? Explain.

An electrochemical cell consists of a nickel metal electrode immersed in a solution with \(\left[\mathrm{Ni}^{2+}\right]=1.0 M\) separated by a porous disk from an aluminum metal electrode. a. What is the potential of this cell at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) if the aluminum electrode is placed in a solution in which \(\left[\mathrm{Al}^{3+}\right]=7.2 \times 10^{-3} M ?\) b. When the aluminum electrode is placed in a certain solution in which \(\left[\mathrm{Al}^{3+}\right]\) is unknown, the measured cell potential at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) is \(1.62 \mathrm{~V} .\) Calculate \(\left[\mathrm{Al}^{3+}\right]\) in the unknown solution. (Assume Al is oxidized.)

Balance the following oxidation-reduction reactions that occur in basic solution. a. \(\mathrm{Cr}(s)+\mathrm{CrO}_{4}^{2-}(a q) \rightarrow \mathrm{Cr}(\mathrm{OH})_{3}(s)\) b. \(\mathrm{MnO}_{4}^{-}(a q)+\mathrm{S}^{2-}(a q) \rightarrow \mathrm{MnS}(s)+\mathrm{S}(s)\) c. \(\mathrm{CN}^{-}(a q)+\mathrm{MnO}_{4}^{-}(a q) \rightarrow \mathrm{CNO}^{-}(a q)+\mathrm{MnO}_{2}(s)\)

In 1973 the wreckage of the Civil War ironclad USS Monitor was discovered near Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. [The Monitor and the CSS Virginia (formerly the USS Merrimack) fought the first battle between iron-armored ships.] In 1987 investigations were begun to see if the ship could be salvaged. It was reported in Time (June 22,1987 ) that scientists were considering adding sacrificial anodes of zinc to the rapidly corroding metal hull of the Monitor. Describe how attaching zinc to the hull would protect the Monitor from further corrosion.

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.