Rinkoo Gupta
Last Activity: 10 Years ago
Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) ? ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s)
Copperbegins in the +2 oxidation state and is reduced to a neutral state over the course of the reaction. Zinc begins neutral and is oxidized to the +2 state.
The oxidation half-reaction is:
Zn(s) ? Zn2++ 2e-
The reduction half-reaction is:
Cu2++ 2e-? Cu(s)
Sample 1. equation: 2 H2+ O2? 2 H2O
The sum of oxidation states in the reactants is equal to that in the products: 0 + 0 ? (2)(+1) + (-2)
In this equation both H2and O2are free elements and their oxidation states are 0. Theproductis H2O, in which the oxidation state of oxygen is -2 and that of each hydrogen is +1.
Sample 2. equation: 2 H2O ? 2 H2+ O2
Calculation: (2)(+1) + (-2) = 0 ? 0 + 0
In this equation the water is "decomposed" into hydrogen and oxygen, which are both neutral. Similar to the previous example, the H2O has a total oxidation state of 0, with each H taking on a +1 state and the O being -2. Thus, decomposition oxidizes oxygen from -2 to 0 and reduces hydrogen from +1 to 0.
Sample 3. equation: Cl2+ 2 NaBr ? 2 NaCl + Br2
Calculation: (0) + ((+1) + (-1) = 0) -> ((+1) + (-1) = (0) + 0
In this equation Br is replaced with Cl and Cl is reduced, while Br is oxidized.Sample 4. equation: Fe2O3+ 6 HCl ? 2 FeCl3+ 3 H2O
Explanation: In this equation Fe and H trade places and O and Cl trade places.
Reaction: 2H2O2(aq) ? 2H2O(l) + O2(g)
In the reactants H has an O has an O.S. of -1, which changes to -2 for the product, H2O (reduced) and 0 for the product, O2 (oxidized).
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Rinkoo Gupta
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