Chapter 19.2, Problem 29SSC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The oxidation half-reaction and reduction half-reaction to be shown.

Concept introduction:

Oxidation half-reaction: The half part of the redox reaction which represents oxidation.

Reduction half-reaction: The half part of the redox reaction which represents reduction.

Answer to Problem 29SSC

Oxidation half-reaction shows the process of oxidation.

Reduction half-reaction shows the process of reduction.

Explanation of Solution

Let’s take an example,

$\text{Z}\text{n}+\text{C}{\text{u}}^{+2}\to \text{Z}{\text{n}}^{+2}+\text{C}\text{u}$

Oxidation half-reaction is:

$\text{Z}\text{n}\to \text{Z}{\text{n}}^{+2}+2{\text{e}}^{-}$

This reaction shows the number of electrons lost.

Reduction half-reaction is:

$\text{C}{\text{u}}^{+2}+2{\text{e}}^{-}\to \text{C}\text{u}$

This half-reaction shows the electrons gained in reduction.

Conclusion

Thus, half cell reactions represent oxidation and reduction separately and the number of electrons gained or lost during the process.