Which of the following statements is correct? A) Carbon is oxidized. B) Oxygen is the reducing agent. C) Oxygen is oxidized. D) Carbon is the oxidizing agent. E) The reaction is not an oxidation-reduction reaction.
Which of the following statements is correct? A) Carbon is oxidized. B) Oxygen is the reducing agent. C) Oxygen is oxidized. D) Carbon is the oxidizing agent. E) The reaction is not an oxidation-reduction reaction.
Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: Define and explain the differences between the following terms. a. law and theory b. theory and...
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![### Oxidation-Reduction Reaction Analysis
**Consider the reaction:**
\[ \text{CH}_4(g) + 2\text{O}_2(g) \rightarrow \text{CO}_2(g) + 2\text{H}_2\text{O}(g) \]
**Which of the following statements is correct?**
A) Carbon is oxidized.
B) Oxygen is the reducing agent.
C) Oxygen is oxidized.
D) Carbon is the oxidizing agent.
E) The reaction is not an oxidation-reduction reaction.
---
### Explanation:
In order to correctly answer the question, let’s analyze the process of oxidation and reduction within the given chemical reaction.
**Oxidation** is the loss of electrons, and **reduction** is the gain of electrons. In the context of the reaction:
\[ \text{CH}_4 + 2\text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{CO}_2 + 2\text{H}_2\text{O} \]
- **Carbon (C) in CH\(_4\)** goes from an oxidation state of -4 to +4 in CO\(_2\). This signifies that carbon loses electrons and thus, is **oxidized**.
- **Oxygen (O) in O\(_2\)** goes from an oxidation state of 0 in O\(_2\) to -2 in both CO\(_2\) and H\(_2\)O. This means oxygen gains electrons and is **reduced**. Therefore, oxygen acts as the **oxidizing agent** because it is reduced while causing carbon to oxidize.
From the options given, the correct one is:
**A) Carbon is oxidized.**
However, upon examining the other options:
- **B) Oxygen is the reducing agent.** This is incorrect because oxygen is being reduced, not acting as the reducing agent.
- **C) Oxygen is oxidized.** Incorrect as it is reduced in the reaction.
- **D) Carbon is the oxidizing agent.** This is incorrect because carbon is oxidized, not acting as the oxidizing agent.
- **E) The reaction is not an oxidation-reduction reaction.** This is incorrect because it clearly is an oxidation-reduction reaction, with carbon being oxidized and oxygen being reduced.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2F03b11204-1d7f-4a78-9e7f-02ec35b4673b%2Fc4d4fbfe-a374-4f19-a919-12267b4813a7%2Fxla8rxp.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
Transcribed Image Text:### Oxidation-Reduction Reaction Analysis
**Consider the reaction:**
\[ \text{CH}_4(g) + 2\text{O}_2(g) \rightarrow \text{CO}_2(g) + 2\text{H}_2\text{O}(g) \]
**Which of the following statements is correct?**
A) Carbon is oxidized.
B) Oxygen is the reducing agent.
C) Oxygen is oxidized.
D) Carbon is the oxidizing agent.
E) The reaction is not an oxidation-reduction reaction.
---
### Explanation:
In order to correctly answer the question, let’s analyze the process of oxidation and reduction within the given chemical reaction.
**Oxidation** is the loss of electrons, and **reduction** is the gain of electrons. In the context of the reaction:
\[ \text{CH}_4 + 2\text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{CO}_2 + 2\text{H}_2\text{O} \]
- **Carbon (C) in CH\(_4\)** goes from an oxidation state of -4 to +4 in CO\(_2\). This signifies that carbon loses electrons and thus, is **oxidized**.
- **Oxygen (O) in O\(_2\)** goes from an oxidation state of 0 in O\(_2\) to -2 in both CO\(_2\) and H\(_2\)O. This means oxygen gains electrons and is **reduced**. Therefore, oxygen acts as the **oxidizing agent** because it is reduced while causing carbon to oxidize.
From the options given, the correct one is:
**A) Carbon is oxidized.**
However, upon examining the other options:
- **B) Oxygen is the reducing agent.** This is incorrect because oxygen is being reduced, not acting as the reducing agent.
- **C) Oxygen is oxidized.** Incorrect as it is reduced in the reaction.
- **D) Carbon is the oxidizing agent.** This is incorrect because carbon is oxidized, not acting as the oxidizing agent.
- **E) The reaction is not an oxidation-reduction reaction.** This is incorrect because it clearly is an oxidation-reduction reaction, with carbon being oxidized and oxygen being reduced.
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