Mg + Cl2 redox reaction explain?

Question

What is the substance being reduced and oxidised? What are the reducing and oxidising agents?

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Answer 1 · 2016-12-01T20:12:30

$Mg(s) + Cl_2(g) rarr MgCl_2(s)$

The metal loses electrons, and in forming $Mg^(2+)$ it loses 2 electrons and is oxidized:

$Mg(s) rarr Mg^(2+) + 2e^-$ $(i)$

And on the other hand chlorine is reduced to chloride ion by accepting electrons:

$Cl_2(g) +2e^(-) rarr 2Cl^(-)$ $(ii)$

And $(i) + (ii)=$ $Mg(s) + Cl_2(g) rarr MgCl_2(s)$

Both charge and mass are balanced, as required.