Question

What is oxidized when chlorine reacts with sodium metal to give sodium chloride?

Answer 1

Well, we gots `"chloride anion"`, `Cl^-`.......

Explanation:

Given the formation reaction, sodium metal is oxidized...

`Na(s) rarr Na^(+) + e^(-)`

And chlorine gas is reduced.......

`1/2Cl_2+e^(-) rarr Cl^-`

And we add the equations......

`Na(s) + 1/2Cl_2(g) rarrNaCl(s)`

And which element is the `"oxidizing agent"`, and which is the `"reducing agent"`?