Chapter 20 Mastering Homework
Identifying Oxidizing and Reducing Agents:
A chemical reaction in which the atoms of the reactants undergo a change in the oxidation state is called
a redox reaction. Such reactions invol
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Chapter 20 Mastering Homework
Identifying Oxidizing and Reducing Agents:
A chemical reaction in which the atoms of the reactants undergo a change in the oxidation state is called
a redox reaction. Such reactions involve both oxidation (increase in oxidation state) and reduction
(decrease in oxidation state) reactions simultaneously. A reducing agent is the one that reduces another
species and at the same time itself gets oxidized. An oxidizing agent is the one that oxidizes another
species and at the same time itself gets reduced. So a species whose oxidation state increases is called a
reducing agent whereas a species whose oxidation state decreases is called an oxidizing agent.
Part A
For the given reactions, classify the reactants as the reducing agent, oxidizing agent, or neither.
Cl2 + H2 → 2HCl
2N2 + O2 → 2N2O
• Cl2 went from 0 to -1, gained an electron and was reduced, making it an oxidizing agent.
• O2 went from 0 to -2, gained 2 electrons and was reduced, making it an oxidizing agent.
• H2 went from 0 to +1, lost an electron and was oxidized, making it a reducing agent.
• N2 went from 0 to +2, lost 2 electrons and was oxidized, making it a reducing agent.
Part B
Here is a more complex redox reaction involving the permanganate ion in acidic solution:
5Fe2+ + 8H+ + MnO4− → 5Fe3+ + Mn2+ + 4H2O
Classify each reactant as the reducing agent, oxidizing agent, or neither.
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