Chapter 19: Problem 41
Identify the species oxidized and the species reduced in each of these redox equations. $$ \begin{array}{l}{\text { a. } 3 \mathrm{Br}_{2}+2 \mathrm{Ga} \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{GaBr}_{3}} \\ {\text { b. } \mathrm{HCl}+\mathrm{Zn} \rightarrow \mathrm{ZnCl}_{2}+\mathrm{H}_{2}} \\ {\text { c. } \mathrm{Mg}+\mathrm{N}_{2} \rightarrow \mathrm{Mg}_{3} \mathrm{N}_{2}}\end{array} $$
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Write down the oxidation states
Identify the changes in oxidation states
Identify the oxidized and reduced species
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Oxidation States
- For a free element (one not combined with any other element), the oxidation state is zero. For example, in \( \text{Br}_2 \), each bromine has an oxidation state of 0.
- For a simple ion, the oxidation state is the charge of the ion.
- In compounds, hydrogen is usually +1 and oxygen is usually -2, except in peroxides or when bonded to fluorine.
- The sum of the oxidation states in a neutral compound is zero, while for a polyatomic ion it equals the ion's charge.
Species Oxidized
- Note which atoms have an increased oxidation state in the products.
- For example: In the \( \text{Mg} + \text{N}_2 \rightarrow \text{Mg}_3 \text{N}_2 \) reaction, magnesium (Mg) is oxidized because it goes from 0 to +2.
Species Reduced
- Bromine (Br) starts in molecule \( \text{Br}_2 \) with an oxidation state of 0.
- Its oxidation state becomes -1 in \( \text{GaBr}_3 \), showing that it has gained electrons and been reduced.
Oxidation
- Starting oxidation state: 0 (in elemental state)
- Ending oxidation state: +2 (when forming \( \text{ZnCl}_2 \))
Reduction
- Nitrogen (N) starts with an oxidation state of 0 when in \( \text{N}_2 \).
- In \( \text{Mg}_3 \text{N}_2 \), the oxidation state decreases to -3, indicating electron gain.