2.) Substances A, B, and C can all act as oxidizing agents. In solution, A is green, B is red, and C is yellow. In the reactions in which they participate, they are reduced to A-, B-, and C- ions respectively, all of which are colorless. When a solution of A is mixed with one containing B- ions, the color changes from green to red.
Which species is oxidized?
Which is reduced?
3.) When a solution of A is mixed with one containing C- ions, the color remains green.
Is A a better oxidizing agent than B?
Is A a better oxidizing agent than C?
4.) Arrange A, B, and C in order of increasing strengths as oxidizing agents.
To determine which species is oxidized and which is reduced in each scenario, we need to understand the concept of oxidation and reduction.
Oxidation is the loss of electrons, while reduction is the gain of electrons. In a redox (reduction-oxidation) reaction, one species undergoes oxidation, losing electrons, while the other undergoes reduction, gaining electrons.
Let's analyze each scenario and answer the questions step by step:
2.) When a solution of A is mixed with one containing B- ions, the color changes from green to red.
In this case, the color change indicates a change in the oxidation states of the substances. A was initially green (A), and after the reaction, it becomes A-, which is colorless. B- ions were initially red (B-) and remain red (B-) after the reaction.
Which species is oxidized?
Based on the color change, species A (A to A-) was oxidized because it lost electrons.
Which is reduced?
Species B-, on the other hand, was not oxidized since it did not change its oxidation state. Therefore, it remains reduced.
3.) When a solution of A is mixed with one containing C- ions, the color remains green.
In this case, there is no observed color change, suggesting there are no changes in oxidation states.
Is A a better oxidizing agent than B?
Since there was no color change when A and C- ions were mixed, it indicates that A cannot oxidize C-. Therefore, A is not a better oxidizing agent than B.
Is A a better oxidizing agent than C?
Here again, the lack of a color change indicates that A cannot oxidize C-. Therefore, A is not a better oxidizing agent than C.
4.) Arrange A, B, and C in order of increasing strengths as oxidizing agents.
Based on the information given, we can determine the order of increasing strengths as oxidizing agents:
C < A < B
From the reactions described, C is the weakest oxidizing agent as it did not cause any observed color change. A is stronger than C but weaker than B because A did not cause a color change when mixed with B- ions. Finally, B is the strongest oxidizing agent as it caused the color change when mixed with A, indicating its ability to oxidize A.