Fe(s) + CuSO4(ag) -> FeSO4(ag) + Cu(s)
• Fe gains electrons and is oxidized. Cu?+ (in CuSO4) loses electrons and is reduced.
O Fe loses electrons and is oxidized. Cu?+ (in CuSO) gains electrons and is reduced.
• Cu?+ (in CuSO) loses electrons and is oxidized. Fe gains electrons and is reduced.
• Cu?+ (in CuSO4) gains electrons and is oxidized. Fe loses electrons and is reduced.
Cu?+ (in CuSO4) gains electrons and is reduced. Fe loses electrons and is oxidized.
The correct statement is:
• Fe loses electrons and is oxidized. Cu2+ (in CuSO4) gains electrons and is reduced.
The correct answer is: Cu?+ (in CuSO4) gains electrons and is reduced. Fe loses electrons and is oxidized.
To determine which substance is oxidized and which is reduced in a redox reaction, you need to identify the changes in the oxidation states of each element involved. Oxidation refers to the loss of electrons, while reduction refers to the gain of electrons.
In the given chemical equation: Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) -> FeSO4(aq) + Cu(s)
The oxidation states of the elements involved are as follows:
- Fe in Fe(s) has an oxidation state of 0 since it is in its elemental state.
- Cu in CuSO4(aq) has an oxidation state of +2 since it is combined with sulfate (SO4), which has a charge of -2. This makes Cu in CuSO4 a cation with a +2 charge.
- Sulfur (S) in CuSO4(aq) has an oxidation state of +6 since sulfate (SO4) has a charge of -2 and there are four oxygen atoms. The oxidation state of S is calculated as (+6)/4 = +6/4 = +1.5.
- Oxygen (O) in CuSO4(aq) has an oxidation state of -2 since sulfate (SO4) has a charge of -2 and there are four oxygen atoms.
After the reaction, the oxidation states change as follows:
- Fe in FeSO4(aq) has an oxidation state of +2 since Fe is combined with sulfate (SO4), which has a charge of -2.
- Cu in Cu(s) has an oxidation state of 0 since it is in its elemental state.
Based on the changes in oxidation states, we can determine the following:
- Fe loses electrons and its oxidation state increases from 0 to +2, meaning it is oxidized.
- Cu gains electrons and its oxidation state decreases from +2 to 0, meaning it is reduced.
Therefore, the correct answer is: Cu?+ (in CuSO4) gains electrons and is reduced. Fe loses electrons and is oxidized.