given the reaction below, which is being reduced? mg + cl2 → mg2+ + 2cl- 2cl- cl2 mg mg2+
given the reaction below, which is being reduced? mg + cl2 → mg2+ + 2cl- 2cl- cl2 mg mg2+
Answer
Answer:
B. $Cl_2$
Explanation:
Step1: Define reduction
Reduction is gain of electrons.
Step2: Analyze oxidation - states
In $Cl_2$, chlorine has an oxidation - state of 0. In $2Cl^-$, chlorine has an oxidation - state of - 1. Chlorine gains electrons as its oxidation - state decreases from 0 to - 1. So, $Cl_2$ is being reduced.
Step3: Analyze other species
$Mg$ has an oxidation - state of 0 initially and changes to + 2 in $Mg^{2 + }$, which means $Mg$ is oxidized (loses electrons). $2Cl^-$ and $Mg^{2 + }$ are products of the redox reaction and are not the species undergoing reduction in the forward reaction.