What are the reducing agent and the oxidising agents in the synthesis of ammonia from hydrogen and nitrogen?
N2 + 3H2 ==> 2NH3
N goes from zero oxidation state to -3.
H goes from zero oxidation state to +1.
Oxidizing agents gain electrons.
Reducing agents lose electrons.
The reducing agent in the synthesis of ammonia from hydrogen and nitrogen is hydrogen (H2). It provides electrons to reduce the nitrogen to ammonia.
The oxidizing agent in this reaction is not applicable as there is no substance that directly oxidizes hydrogen or nitrogen. Instead, the reaction is driven by the catalyst, usually iron or a mixture of iron and molybdenum, which facilitates the combination of hydrogen and nitrogen to form ammonia.
To determine the reducing agent and oxidizing agent in the synthesis of ammonia from hydrogen and nitrogen, we need to understand the concept of oxidation and reduction.
In this reaction, nitrogen (N2) is reduced to ammonia (NH3), and hydrogen (H2) is oxidized to ammonia. The species that gets oxidized is the reducing agent, while the species that gets reduced is the oxidizing agent.
Here's how to find the reducing agent and oxidizing agent:
Step 1: Write the balanced chemical equation for the synthesis of ammonia:
N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3
Step 2: Assign oxidation numbers to each element in the equation.
In N2, nitrogen (N) has an oxidation number of 0 since it is in its elemental form.
In H2, hydrogen (H) has an oxidation number of 0 since it is also in its elemental form.
In NH3, nitrogen (N) has an oxidation number of -3 since it is bonded with three hydrogen atoms (H), and hydrogen (H) has an oxidation number of +1 since it is bonded with nitrogen (N).
Step 3: Compare the oxidation numbers of each element before and after the reaction.
In N2 (before the reaction), nitrogen has an oxidation number of 0.
In NH3 (after the reaction), nitrogen has an oxidation number of -3.
The decrease in the oxidation number of nitrogen from 0 to -3 indicates that nitrogen has been reduced. Therefore, nitrogen is the reducing agent.
In H2 (before the reaction), hydrogen has an oxidation number of 0.
In NH3 (after the reaction), hydrogen has an oxidation number of +1.
The increase in the oxidation number of hydrogen from 0 to +1 indicates that hydrogen has been oxidized. Therefore, hydrogen is the oxidizing agent.
In summary, the reducing agent in the synthesis of ammonia from hydrogen and nitrogen is nitrogen (N2), while the oxidizing agent is hydrogen (H2).