Question

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

Answer 1

`"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)`