Question

Assume that Aluminum and Silver Sulfide are the starting substances (reactants) in the reaction: a. Write a balanced chemical equation describing the "re-creation" of silver, using the information in the case study. b. State the names of the products that are produced from this reaction. c. What type of reaction(s) is/are being represented by the chemical reaction you wrote in part (a)? d. Is the reaction in part (a) an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction? e. If this is a redox reaction, then identify the following: What is undergoing oxidation (what is being oxidized)? Support your answer using oxidation numbers. What is undergoing reduction (what is being reduced)? Support your answer using oxidation numbers. What is the reducing agent? What is the oxidizing agent?

Answer 1

Answer:

Check Explanation

Explanation:

a) The balanced chemical reaction between Aluminium and Silver Sulfide is represented below

2Al + 3Ag₂S → Al₂S₃ + 6Ag

Aluminium displaces Silver from Silver sulfide because it is higher than Silver in the electrochemical series.

b) Names of the products from this reaction

Ag is called Silver metal. Free Silver metal.

Al₂S₃ is called Aluminium Sulfide.

c) This reaction is a single-displacement reaction because an element directly displaces and replaces another element in a compound.

It is also a redox reaction (reduction-oxidation reaction) because there are species being oxidized and reduced simultaneously!

d) Yes, this reaction is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction because there are species being oxidized and reduced simultaneously!

e) The specie that is being oxidized is said to undergo oxidation. And oxidation is defined as the loss of electrons, thereby leading to an increase in oxidation number.

In this reaction, it is evident that Aluminium undergoes oxidation as its oxidation number increases from 0 in the free state to +3 when it displaces Silver and becomes Aluminium sulfide.

Al → Al³⁺

0 → +3 (Oxidation)

The specie that is being reduced is said to undergo reduction. And reduction is defined as the gain of electrons, thereby leading to a decrease in oxidation number.

In this reaction, it is evident that the silver ion undergoes reduction as its oxidation number decreases from +1 in the Silver Sulfide compound to 0 when it is displaced and becomes Silver in free state.

Ag⁺ → Ag

+1 → 0 (Reduction)

The reducing agent is the specie that brings about reduction. Since Silver ion in Silver sulfide is reduced, Aluminium is the reducing agent that initiates the reduction process.

The oxidation agent is the specie that brings about oxidation. Since, Aluminium is the specie that undergoes oxidation, the oxidizing agent is the Silver Sulfide that brings about the oxidation.

Hope this Helps!!!