What chemical is oxidized in the following reaction? Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2

1 Answer
May 18, 2017

"Option c."

Explanation:

"Oxidation" specifies loss of electrons and AN INCREASE in oxidation number. In the given reaction, oxidation to Mg^(2+) occurs:

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

Whereas hydrogen ion, hydronium ion, is reduced to dihydrogen gas.......

stackrel(+I)H_3O^+ +e^(-) rarr 1/2stackrel(0)H_2(g)+H_2O(l) (ii)

We add these together, (i) + 2xx(ii), to eliminate the electrons:

Mg(s) +2H_3O^+ rarr Mg^(2+) + H_2(g)uarr+2H_2O(l)