Chapter 5.5, Problem 5.9P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The balanced equation for the formation of potassium bromide from potassium and bromine has to be written and the oxidizing and reducing agents should be identified.

Concept introduction:

• In a balanced equation the number of atoms of each element as a reactant is equal to the number of atoms of that element as a product.
• Coefficient is a number placed before a formula in a chemical equation.
• A balanced equation should be obeying the law of conservation of mass. Law of conservation of mass states that, the number of atoms remains constant throughout the reaction, simply it can be stated as follows, “during a chemical reaction atoms are neither be created nor be destroyed”.
• Oxidation-reduction reaction: Both the oxidation and reduction reaction occurs together in a chemical reaction. It is also known as redox reaction.
• Change in the oxidation number of atoms involved in the reaction is one of the special characteristic of reduction reaction.
• The number of electrons an atom tends to give up or gain in a chemical reaction is called oxidation number.
• Oxidation: Losing electrons, increasing oxidation number.
• Reduction: Gaining electron, decreasing oxidation number.
• Oxidizing agent is a substance that removes electrons from another reactant in a chemical reaction and so it is reduced by taking electron onto itself and the reactant is oxidized by having its electron taken away.
• Reducing agent is the element or compound in a redox reaction that donate an electron to another species and so it is oxidized.