Chapter 19, Problem 41R

To determine

To explain: The role of the oxygen burning the burning process of hydrogen.

Answer to Problem 41R

The right answer is option D - Reactants

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

In the burning process, oxygen must be present because the function of oxygen is to facilitate the combustion of substance.

The burning process of the hydrogen is represented by the reaction

  ${\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\left(\text{g}\right)\text{+}\frac{\text{1}}{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}\left(\text{g}\right)\to {\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\left(\text{g}\right)$

In this reaction, the oxygen is playing the role as a reactant, but it is elemental and have an oxidation state of zero. But in the products, both H and O acquire a formal oxidation state of $\left(\text{+I}\right)\text{and}\left(\text{+II}\right)$ respectively. Hydrogen has an oxidation state of $\left(\text{+I}\right)$ and the oxygen has a oxidation state of $\left(\text{+II}\right)$ .

Conclusion:

Thus, in the burning process of hydrogen, the oxygen plays the role of reactant.