Chapter 19, Problem 34E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Among the reactions ${\text{Cd}}^{2+}\left(\text{aq}\right)+2{\text{e}}^{-}\rightleftharpoons \text{Cd}\left(\text{s}\right)$, ${\text{Pb}}^{2+}\left(\text{aq}\right)+2{\text{e}}^{-}\rightleftharpoons \text{Pb}\left(\text{s}\right)$ and ${\text{Cl}}_2\left(\text{g}\right)+2{\text{e}}^{-}\rightleftharpoons 2{\text{Cl}}^{-}\left(\text{aq}\right)$, the strongest and weakest oxidizing agents and the strongest and the weakest reducing agents are to be identified.

Concept introduction:

The process in which oxygen is added or a hydrogen atom is removed from a substance is known as oxidation and the process in which hydrogen is added or an oxygen atom is removed from a substance is known as reduction. The addition of an electronegative atom to another substance is also known as oxidation and the addition of an electropositive atom to another substance is known as reduction. A reducing agent is a substance that undergoes oxidation and an oxidizing agent is a substance that undergoes reduction.