Question

Consider the following reaction of calcium hydride (CaH2) with molten sodium metal: CaH2(s) 2 Na(l) -> 2 NaH(s) Ca(l) Identify the species being oxidized and the species being reduced.

Answer 1

Answer:

None of the species in the equation have undergone either oxidation or reduction

Explanation:

The easiest way to see if oxidation or reduction has happened is to compare oxidation numbers of each and every species before and after the reaction.

Calcium is two before the reaction and two after the reaction

Hydrogen is -1 before the reaction and -1 after the reaction

Sodium is one before the reaction and one after the reaction

Iodine is -1 before the reaction and -1 after the reaction.

For an oxidation to happen an increase in oxidation number has to happen.

For a reduction to happen, a decrease in oxidation number has to happen. None have happened