Answer:
The reduction reaction is: Cl₂ + 2 e⁻ ⇄ 2 Cl⁻
The oxidation reaction is: Cs ⇄ Cs⁺ + 1 e⁻
Explanation:
In a redox reaction, two half-reactions happen simultaneously. The oxidation refers to a species losing electrons. The reduction refers to a species gaining electrons.
Let's consider the following reaction.
Cl₂ + 2 Cs ⇄ 2CsCl
We can write the ionic equation.
Cl₂ + 2 Cs ⇄ 2 Cs⁺ + 2 Cl⁻
The reduction reaction is: Cl₂ + 2 e⁻ ⇄ 2 Cl⁻
We added 2 electrons to the left (electrons gained) to balance the half-reaction electrically.
The oxidation reaction is: Cs ⇄ Cs⁺ + 1 e⁻
We added 1 electron to the right (electrons lost) to balance the half-reaction electrically.
