Question

Given the reaction below, which is the oxidized substance? Mg + Cl2 mc005-1.jpg Mg2+ + 2Clmc005-2.jpg 2CI- CI2 Mg Mg2+

Answer 1

Answer;

Magnesium (Mg)

Explanation;

During the reaction between magnesium and chlorine, a magnesium atom will lose 2 electrons to form a stable 2+ ion. Chlorine is in group 7 of the periodic table. A chlorine atom will gain 1 electron to form a stable 1- ion forms the ionic bond between magnesium and chlorine.

Oxidation is the loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state by a molecule, atom, or ion. Reduction is the gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation state by a molecule, atom, or ion. Therefore; since magnesium has lost two electrons, it is the substance that has been oxidized.

Answer 2

The given chemical reaction is:

Mg + Cl₂ → Mg²⁺ + 2Cl⁻

The reaction can be broken down into two half-reactions as follows:

Mg → Mg²⁺ + 2e⁻  ------(1)

Cl₂ + 2e⁻ → 2Cl⁻   ------(2)

Reaction (1) is an oxidation reaction as it involves loss of electrons.

Reaction (2) is reduction reaction as it involves gain of electrons.

The oxidation state of Mg changes from 0 (Mg) to +2 (Mg2+). Hence, Mg is the oxidized substance