Question #95430

1 Answer
Feb 26, 2017

No. It is reduced.

Explanation:

The oxidation numbers for the ions in #"FeCl"_2"# are #+2# and #-2#, respecitively. The product #"Fe"# is in its elemental state, and therefore has an oxidation state of #0#. So the oxidation number for #"Fe"^(+2)"# is reduced from #+2# to #0# in the product #"Fe"#. A reduction reaction involves the gain of electrons.

#"Fe"^(+2) + 2e^-##rarr##"Fe"#

The oxidation reaction is the change of elemental #"Mg"# from #0# to #"Mg"^(+2)#. The oxidation reaction involved the loss of #2# electrons from elemental #"Mg"#.

#"Mg"##rarr##"Mg"^(+2) + 2e^-"#