For the following redox reaction, provide half reactions that show which species is oxidized and reduced. Indicate the species oxidized, the species reduced, the oxidizing agent and the reducing agent.
3Mg(s) + 2FeCl3(aq) 2Fe(s) + 3MgCl2(aq)
*I Figure that Mg is being oxidized, Fe is being reduced, and Cl is being reduction also but I am lost. Please help me understand how to solve this problem
Hi
To determine the species that is oxidized and reduced in a redox reaction, you can follow a few steps:
Step 1: Identify the oxidation states of each element in the reactants and products.
In the reactants:
- Magnesium (Mg) has an oxidation state of 0 because it is in its elemental form (Mg(s)).
- Iron (Fe) in FeCl3 has an oxidation state of +3. Chlorine (Cl) in FeCl3 has an oxidation state of -1 since it is a halogen and often has a -1 oxidation state.
In the products:
- Iron (Fe) in Fe(s) has an oxidation state of 0 because it is in its elemental form (Fe(s)).
- Magnesium (Mg) in MgCl2 has an oxidation state of +2. Chlorine (Cl) in MgCl2 has an oxidation state of -1.
Step 2: Compare the oxidation states of each element in the reactants and products.
For magnesium (Mg), it goes from an oxidation state of 0 in the reactants to +2 in the products. This indicates that magnesium has lost electrons, and hence it is being oxidized.
For iron (Fe), it goes from an oxidation state of +3 in the reactants to 0 in the products. This indicates that iron has gained electrons, and hence it is being reduced.
Step 3: Determine the oxidizing and reducing agents.
The species that is oxidized (magnesium) is called the reducing agent because it causes the reduction of the other species. In this case, the reducing agent is magnesium (Mg).
The species that is reduced (iron) is called the oxidizing agent because it causes the oxidation of the other species. In this case, the oxidizing agent is iron (Fe).
So, to summarize:
- The species oxidized is magnesium (Mg).
- The species reduced is iron (Fe).
- The oxidizing agent is iron (Fe).
- The reducing agent is magnesium (Mg).