Examine the redox reaction.
As2O3(s) + Cl2(g) + H2O(l) → H3AsO4(aq) + HCl(aq)
How many electrons are lost by each As atom during the reaction?
A)4
B)3
C)2
D)1
As is +3 on the left for EACH atom and +5 on the right.
Im not sure what youre trying to say here. Im sorry.
So how many electrons were lost or gained in going from +3 to +5 oxidations states.
To determine the number of electrons lost by each As atom during the redox reaction, we need to examine the oxidation states of arsenic (As) in the reactants and products.
In As2O3, the oxidation state of As is +3 since oxygen (O) has an oxidation state of -2 and the sum of the oxidation states must equal the charge on the compound.
In H3AsO4, the oxidation state of As is +5 since hydrogen (H) has an oxidation state of +1 and oxygen (O) has an oxidation state of -2.
Therefore, the oxidation state of As increases from +3 to +5, meaning it loses 2 electrons per As atom.
The correct answer is C) 2.