Question

Identify which statement describes the following process. 2Ce + 3Cu2+ → 3Cu + 2Ce3+

Answer 1

Answer: A-Ce is oxidized because it is losing electrons and Cu is reduced because it is gaining electrons.

There are two reactions in the equation, oxidation and reduction. A molecule that oxidized will lose electrons while the molecule that reduced will gain electrons. In this case, Cu2+ changed into Cu which means its oxidation number reduced from +2 into 0. Ce oxidation number increased from 0 into +3