Question

must do - observing oxidation & reduction station
data table
observation time | what you see
immediately |
after 3 - 4 minutes |

guided questions

1. what changes did you observe on the copper wire?
2. what formed in the solution or on the copper wire?
3. based on the background information, which substance was oxidized?
4. which substance was reduced?
5. write the chemical equation for the redox reaction:

cu(s) + 2agno₃(aq) → cu(no₃)₂(aq) + 2ag(s)
identify what was oxidized and reduced in the equation.

1. why do you think this reaction is classified as redox?

Explanation:

Step1: Fill observation table

Immediately: Copper wire is shiny reddish-brown; solution is colorless.
After 3-4 minutes: Shiny silvery solid deposits on copper wire; solution turns light blue.

Step2: Answer question 1

Copper wire develops silvery coating; solution turns blue.

Step3: Answer question 2

Silver metal forms on wire; copper(II) nitrate forms in solution.

Step4: Answer question 3

Copper (Cu) loses electrons, so it is oxidized.

Step5: Answer question 4

Silver ions ($\text{Ag}^+$) gain electrons, so they are reduced.

Step6: Answer question 5

Oxidized: $\text{Cu}(s)$ (oxidation state 0 → +2)
Reduced: $\text{Ag}^+$ (from $\text{AgNO}_3$, oxidation state +1 → 0)

Step7: Answer question 6

Reaction has electron transfer: Cu loses e⁻, $\text{Ag}^+$ gains e⁻.

Answer:

Data Table

Observation Time	What You See
After 3-4 minutes	Silvery solid deposits on copper wire; solution turns light blue

1. A shiny silvery solid forms on the surface of the reddish-brown copper wire, and the surrounding solution turns light blue.
2. Silver metal ($\text{Ag}$) forms on the copper wire; copper(II) nitrate ($\text{Cu(NO}_3\text{)}_2$) forms in the solution (causing the blue color).
3. Copper ($\text{Cu}(s)$)
4. Silver ions ($\text{Ag}^+$ from $\text{AgNO}_3(aq)$)
5. Oxidized: $\text{Cu}(s)$ (its oxidation state increases from 0 to +2)

Reduced: $\text{Ag}^+$ (its oxidation state decreases from +1 to 0)

1. This reaction is a redox reaction because it involves a transfer of electrons: copper atoms lose electrons (oxidation) and silver ions gain those electrons (reduction), which is the defining characteristic of redox reactions.