Chapter 24, Problem 124A

(a)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: To interpret the oxidizing agent for the given reaction.

Concept Introduction: The reactions in which oxidation and reduction take place together, are known as redox reactions.

Oxidation can be interpreted as the gain of oxygen while reduction is interpreted as the loss of oxygen. The substance in which losing of electrons takes place is known as a reducing agent while an oxidizing agent can be defined as a substance that gains electrons.

Answer to Problem 124A

In the given reaction, fluorine acts as an oxidizing agent.

Explanation of Solution

When xenon reacts with fluorine, it yields xenon fluoride.

The chemical reaction can be depicted as follows:

  $\text{Xe}(g)+{\text{F}}_{\text{2}}(g)\to {\text{XeF}}_{\text{2}}(s)$

In this reaction, the oxidation number of xenon changes from $\left(0\to 2\right)$ and in the case of fluorine it changes from $\left(0\to -1\right)$ . Thus, the substance that behaves as an oxidizing agent in this reaction is fluorine as it is been reduced while xenon behaves as a reducing agent as it gets oxidized.

(b)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: To interpret the oxidizing agent for the given reaction.

Concept Introduction: The reactions in which oxidation and reduction take place together, are known as redox reactions.

Oxidation can be interpreted as the gain of oxygen while reduction is interpreted as the loss of oxygen. The substance in which losing of electrons takes place is known as a reducing agent while an oxidizing agent can be defined as a substance that gains electrons.

Answer to Problem 124A

In the given reaction, oxygen acts as an oxidizing agent.

Explanation of Solution

When sulfur reacts with oxygen, it yields sulfur trioxide.

The chemical reaction can be depicted as follows:

  $2\text{S}(s)+3{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}(g)\to 2{\text{SO}}_{\text{3}}(l)$

In this reaction, the oxidation number of sulfur changes from $\left(0\to 6\right)$ and in the case of oxygen it changes from $\left(0\to -2\right)$ . Thus, the substance that behaves as an oxidizing agent in this reaction is oxygen as it is been reduced while sulfur behaves as a reducing agent as it gets oxidized.

(c)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: To interpret the oxidizing agent for the given reaction.

Concept Introduction: The reactions in which oxidation and reduction take place together, are known as redox reactions.

Oxidation can be interpreted as the gain of oxygen while reduction is interpreted as the loss of oxygen. The substance in which losing of electrons takes place is known as a reducing agent while an oxidizing agent can be defined as a substance that gains electrons.

Answer to Problem 124A

In the given reaction, chlorine acts as an oxidizing agent.

Explanation of Solution

When chlorine gas reacts with sodium bromide, it yields sodium chloride and bromine gas.

The chemical reaction can be depicted as follows:

  ${\text{Cl}}_{\text{2}}(g)+2\text{NaBr}(aq)\to {\text{Br}}_{\text{2}}\left(g\right)+2\text{NaCl}\left(aq\right)$

In sodium bromide, the oxidation number of bromine changes from $\left(-1\to 0\right)$ and in the case of chlorine it changes from $\left(-1\to 0\right)$ . Thus, the substance that behaves as an oxidizing agent in this reaction is chlorine as it is been reduced while sodium bromide behaves as a reducing agent as it gets oxidized.