Which of the following reactions involves a redox process? (2019)
Practice Questions
Q1
Which of the following reactions involves a redox process? (2019)
H2 + Cl2 → 2HCl
NaCl → Na + Cl2
CaCO3 → CaO + CO2
H2O → H2 + O2
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which of the following reactions involves a redox process? (2019)
Step 1: Understand what a redox reaction is. A redox reaction involves the transfer of electrons between two substances, resulting in oxidation (loss of electrons) and reduction (gain of electrons).
Step 2: Identify the substances in the reaction. In the reaction H2O → H2 + O2, we have water (H2O) on the left side and hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) on the right side.
Step 3: Determine what happens to the elements in the reaction. Water (H2O) is broken down into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2).
Step 4: Analyze the oxidation states. In H2O, hydrogen has an oxidation state of +1 and oxygen has an oxidation state of -2. In H2, hydrogen has an oxidation state of 0, and in O2, oxygen has an oxidation state of 0.
Step 5: Identify oxidation and reduction. The oxidation state of hydrogen goes from +1 in H2O to 0 in H2 (this is reduction), and the oxidation state of oxygen goes from -2 in H2O to 0 in O2 (this is oxidation).
Step 6: Conclude that since there is both oxidation and reduction occurring, the reaction H2O → H2 + O2 is indeed a redox reaction.
