Question

Consider the reaction below.

Answer 1

Answer:

2 e⁻ + Cl₂(g) → 2 Cl⁻(aq)

Explanation:

Let's consider the following balanced redox equation.

2 I⁻(aq) + Cl₂(g) → 2 Cl⁻(aq) + I₂(aq)

We can identify 2 half-reactions:

Oxidation: 2 I⁻(aq) → I₂(aq) + 2 e⁻

Reduction: 2 e⁻ + Cl₂(g) → 2 Cl⁻(aq)

We can identify the second half-reaction as the reduction reaction because Cl₂ gains 2 electrons and its oxidation number decreases from 0 to 1-.