Sodium sulfate reacts with carbon to produce the products sodium sulfide and carbon monoxide. Identify the reducing agent in the

Question

4 years ago

11

following reaction.
Na2SO4 + 4C yields Na2S + 4CO

Na2SO4
C
Na2S
CO

2 answers:

Lunna [17] · Answer 1 · 2021-12-17T12:23:10+03:00

Answer : The correct option is, carbon (C)

Explanation :

Oxidizing agent : Oxidizing agent are the agent that gains electrons and is reduced in a chemical reaction.

Reducing agent : Reducing agent are the agent that lose electrons and is oxidized in a chemical reaction.

The given balanced chemical reaction is,

$Na_2SO_4+4C\rightarrow Na_2S+4CO$

First we have to calculate the oxidation number of sulfur and carbon.

The oxidation state of 'S' in $Na_2SO_4$ and $Na_2S$ are, (+6) and (-2) respectively.

The oxidation state of 'C' in $4C$ and $4CO$ are, (0) and (+2) respectively.

From this we conclude that, the $Na_2SO_4$ act as an oxidizing agent and 'C' act as a reducing agent.

Hence, the reducing agent in the following reaction is, carbon (C)

Maslowich · Answer 2 · 2021-12-17T10:05:21+03:00

Maslowich4 years ago

6 0

The reducing agent will itself be oxidized.
The oxidation number of carbon goes form 0 to +2. Therefore, it is the reducing agent.