Question

Substances A, B, and C can all act as oxidizing agents. In solution, A is green, B is yellow, and C is red. In the reactions in which they participate, they are reduced to A-, B-, and C- ions, all of which are colorless. When a solution of C is mixed with one containing B- ions, the color changes from red to yellow.Which species is oxidized? Which is reduced?When a solution of C is mixed with one containing A- ions, the color remains red.Is C a better oxidizing agent than A?Is C a better oxidizing agent than B?

Answer 1

Explanation:

Oxidizing agents are defined as the agents which oxidize other substance and itself gets reduced. These agents undergoes reduction reactions.

Reducing agents are defined as the agents which reduces the other substance and itself gets oxidized. These agents undergoes reduction reactions.

When oxidizing agent-A get reduced it changes green to colorless.

$A+e^-\rightarrow A^-$

When oxidizing agent-B get reduced it changes yellow to colorless.

$B+e^-\rightarrow B^-$

When oxidizing agent-C get reduced it changes red to colorless.

$C+e^-\rightarrow C^-$

1) When we added solution C that oxidizing agent-C in solution containing $B^-$ ions changes from red to yellow:

$C+B^-\rightarrow C^-+B(yellow)$

So, in this C is oxidizing $B^-$ ion into B which yellow in color.

C is reduced and $B^-$ ions is oxidized.

Here, $B^-$ are oxidized by C which means that C a better oxidizing agent than B.

2) When a solution of C is mixed with one containing A- ions, the color remains red.

$C+A^-\rightarrow$ no reaction

As we had observed that no color change was seen on adding substance C to the solution with $A^-$ ions which indicates that C was unable to oxidize $A^-$ ions. Hence, not a better oxidizing agent than A