What is reduced and what is oxidized in the reaction?

2Mg+O2=2MgO

Oxygen is oxidized
Mg is reduced

Yes

Mg goes from zero to +2, loss of electrons, it is oxidized and the reducing agent.

Oxygen is reduced and is the oxidizing agent.

In the reaction 2Mg + O2 = 2MgO, oxygen is being oxidized and magnesium is being reduced.

Oxidation refers to the loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state. In this reaction, oxygen goes from an oxidation state of 0 to -2 in MgO, indicating that it has gained two electrons and is therefore being reduced.

Reduction, on the other hand, involves the gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation state. Magnesium, which starts with an oxidation state of 0 in Mg, goes to an oxidation state of +2 in MgO, indicating that it has lost two electrons and is being oxidized.

So, in summary, oxygen is oxidized and magnesium is reduced in the given reaction.

To determine what is being oxidized and what is being reduced in a chemical reaction, you need to assign oxidation numbers to each element in the reactants and products.

In the given reaction: 2Mg + O2 -> 2MgO

The oxidation number of magnesium (Mg) is 0 as an element in its standard state.

The oxidation number of oxygen (O) is 0 as a molecule.

In MgO, the oxidation number of magnesium is +2, and the oxidation number of oxygen is -2.

Now, compare the oxidation numbers of each element from the reactants to the products.

Mg: 0 in the reactants vs. +2 in the product
O: 0 in the reactants vs. -2 in the product

During the reaction, the oxidation state of Mg increases from 0 to +2, indicating that magnesium is oxidized. This is because it loses two electrons.

On the other hand, the oxidation state of oxygen decreases from 0 to -2, indicating that oxygen is reduced. This is because it gains two electrons.

In summary, in the given reaction, magnesium (Mg) is reduced, and oxygen (O) is oxidized.