Gold exists in two common positive oxidation states, +1and +3. The standard reduction potentials for these oxidationstates areAu+(aq) + e- ----->Au(s) E°red = +1.69 VAu3+(aq) + 3 e- ------>Au(s) E°red = +1.50 V (a) Can you use these data to explain why gold does not tarnishin the air? (b) Suggest several substances that shouldbe strong enough oxidizing agents to oxidize gold metal.(c) Miners obtain gold by soaking gold-containing oresin an aqueous solution of sodium cyanide. A very solublecomplex ion of gold forms in the aqueous solution becauseof the redox reaction4 Au(s) + 8 NaCN(aq) + 2 H2O(l) + O2(g)----->4 Na[Au(CN)2](aq) + 4 NaOH(aq)What is being oxidized, and what is being reduced in thisreaction? (d) Gold miners then react the basic aqueousproduct solution from part (c) with Zn dust to get goldmetal. Write a balanced redox reaction for this process.What is being oxidized, and what is being reduced?

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Gold exists in two common positive oxidation states, +1
and +3. The standard reduction potentials for these oxidation
states are
Au+(aq) + e- ----->Au(s) E°red = +1.69 V
Au3+(aq) + 3 e- ------>Au(s) E°red = +1.50 V

(a) Can you use these data to explain why gold does not tarnish
in the air? (b) Suggest several substances that should
be strong enough oxidizing agents to oxidize gold metal.
(c) Miners obtain gold by soaking gold-containing ores
in an aqueous solution of sodium cyanide. A very soluble
complex ion of gold forms in the aqueous solution because
of the redox reaction
4 Au(s) + 8 NaCN(aq) + 2 H2O(l) + O2(g)
----->4 Na[Au(CN)2](aq) + 4 NaOH(aq)
What is being oxidized, and what is being reduced in this
reaction? (d) Gold miners then react the basic aqueous
product solution from part (c) with Zn dust to get gold
metal. Write a balanced redox reaction for this process.
What is being oxidized, and what is being reduced?

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