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.
How much of this do you know how to do? I don't want to work all 4 parts and give you the answers. In short, what are your thoughts.
A- oxidized
B-reduced
No
No
A, B, C
To answer these questions, we need to understand the concepts of oxidation and reduction, as well as the colors associated with the substances involved.
1. Oxidation and Reduction:
In a chemical reaction, oxidation refers to the loss of electrons, while reduction refers to the gain of electrons. An oxidizing agent is a substance that causes another substance to undergo oxidation, while a reducing agent is a substance that causes another substance to undergo reduction. In this case, A, B, and C can act as oxidizing agents.
2. Color Changes:
In the given reactions, substances A, B, and C are reduced to A-, B-, and C- ions, respectively, which are colorless. The change in color of the solutions gives us information about the oxidation and reduction processes.
- When a solution of A (green) is mixed with B- ions, the color changes from green to red. This indicates that A is being reduced, as it loses its color when it becomes A- ions. Therefore, A is acting as an oxidizing agent, and B- is being oxidized.
3. No Change in Color:
When a solution of A is mixed with C- ions, the color remains green. This suggests that A is not reducing C- ions, meaning C is not being oxidized. Therefore, A is not a better oxidizing agent than C.
4. Strength of Oxidizing Agents:
To determine the strengths of the oxidizing agents A, B, and C, we need to consider their ability to oxidize substances. The stronger the oxidizing agent, the more easily it can cause another substance to undergo oxidation.
- Since A causes the color change from green to red when mixed with B-, it can be inferred that A is a stronger oxidizing agent than B.
- When mixed with C-, A does not cause any color change. This suggests that A is not able to oxidize C-, indicating that C is a stronger oxidizing agent than A.
Therefore, considering the given information:
- The order of increasing strengths as oxidizing agents is: C < A < B.
To summarize:
- Species oxidized when A is mixed with B- ions: B-
- Species reduced when A is mixed with B- ions: A
- A is a better oxidizing agent than B.
- A is not a better oxidizing agent than C.
- Order of increasing strengths as oxidizing agents: C < A < B.