If barium (Ba) reacts with chlorine (Cl2) to form
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barium is oxidized and chlorine is reduced.
barium is reduced and chlorine is oxidized.
electrons are not transferred because this is an ionic bond.
electrons are transferred because this is a covalent bond.
To determine whether barium (Ba) is oxidized or reduced, and whether chlorine (Cl2) is oxidized or reduced, we need to examine the changes in oxidation states of the elements.
In this case, barium reacts with chlorine to form an ionic compound, barium chloride (BaCl2). In ionic compounds, electrons are transferred from one element to another, resulting in the formation of positive and negative ions.
The oxidation state, or oxidation number, is a concept that helps us determine the electron transfer during a chemical reaction. For barium and chlorine, the oxidation states are +2 for Ba and -1 for Cl in BaCl2.
Now, let's analyze the changes in oxidation states:
Barium: In barium chloride, the oxidation state of Ba changes from 0 to +2. The oxidation state of Ba increases, indicating that barium has lost electrons. Therefore, barium is oxidized.
Chlorine: In barium chloride, the oxidation state of Cl changes from 0 to -1. The oxidation state of Cl decreases, indicating that chlorine has gained electrons. Therefore, chlorine is reduced.
To summarize, in the reaction between barium and chlorine to form barium chloride:
- Barium is oxidized (loses electrons)
- Chlorine is reduced (gains electrons)
Therefore, the correct answer is: barium is oxidized and chlorine is reduced.