Question

Balance the following skeleton reactions and identify the oxidizing and reducing agents:(b) P₄(s) → HPO₃²⁻(aq) + PH₃(g) [acidic]

Answer 1

The balanced chemical equation is :

5P₄ + 36OH → 12HPO₃⁻² (aq) + 8PH₃ (acidic)

Here the oxidation number of P changed from 0 to -3 in PH₃ and increases  from 0 to +3 in HPO₃⁻². When P₄ changes to PH₃ reduction reaction is taking place as there is addition of hydrogen and when P₄ changes to HPO₃⁻² oxidation takes place as there is addition of oxygen.

Thus clearly both reduction and oxidation are taking place.

Thus, we can infer that here P₄ is both oxidizing as well as reducing agent.

To know more about oxidation number here:

brainly.com/question/13182308

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