CHEMISTRY (CHM 141)

TUTORIAL 5 (CHAPTER 5: REDOX REACTION)

OXIDATION NUMBER / OXIDATION STATE: Refers to the number of electrons transferred, shared (or
involved in the formation of chemical bonds) in a substance.

RULES FOR ASSIGNING OXIDATION NUMBER

Redox reaction
Free elements (uncombined state) have an oxidation number of zero.
Br2 + C2O42- → 2Br- + 2CO2
Na, Be, K, Pb, H2, O2, P4 = 0

The oxidation numberOxidizing agent:

of a simple ion Br
(only
2
element
one atom) is itsoxidized: C (Na+= +1; Mg 2+ = +2; Fe 3+ =
charge. Eg.
- 2-
+3; Cl = -1; O = -2)Reducing agent: C O 2- element reduced: Br
2 4

Nonmetals tend to have negative oxidation numbers.

-
Half reaction:
Oxygen has an oxidation number of Br
−2.2 + e → Br
Halogens have an oxidation
Oxidation number
numberofof
−1Br decreases from 0 → -1
It is a Reduction process
The sum of the oxidation numbers in a neutral compound is 0.

The sum of the oxidation numbersCinOa 2-polyatomic

Half reaction: → CO ion is equal to the charge on the ion.
2 4 2
+1 + C + 3(-2)
O = -2 number of C increases
Oxidation from= +3
-1 → +4
Determine the
HCOOxidation
3
- number of C atomC = HCO3-
in+4
It isH an Oxidation process
= +1

BALANCING REDOX EQUATIONS (in acid solution)

Redox equation: Cu + NO3- → Cu2+ + NO2

REDOX REACTION: Is the oxidation-reduction process that involved electron-transfer reaction or a

change in the oxidation numbers of the substances taking part in the reaction.

OXIDATION REACTION: The half-reaction that involves the loss of electrons, gain oxygen, and
increase in oxidation number.

REDUCTION REACTION: The half-reaction that involves the gain of electrons, lose oxygen, and
decrease in oxidation number.

OXIDIZING AGENT: A substance that is reduced and oxidize other substance.

REDUCING AGENT: A substance that is oxidized and reduce other substance

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QUESTION 1

Assign oxidation numbers to each of the underlined elements:

a) Na2SO4
b) NH4+
c) CrO42-
d) CIO2-
e) S2O32-
f) PO43-

QUESTION 2

Consider the following redox reaction

Cl2(g) + Sn (s) → 2Cl- (aq) + Sn2+ (aq)

Identify
i) The oxidation number of chlorine before and after reaction
ii) The reducing agent
iii) The product of the oxidation process

QUESTION 3

a) Given below is an unbalanced half equation:

MnO4- → MnO2

i) Calculate the oxidation number for Mn before and after the reaction.
ii) Balance the half equation if the reaction occurs in an acidic medium.
iii) If the reaction above is a half equation of a redox reaction, then ____(i)_______ is the
______(ii)________ agent and Mn is the element that is ______(iii)__________ .

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CHEMISTRY (CHM 141)
QUESTION 4

Based on the redox equation below (unbalanced):

C2O42- + BiO3- → CO2 + Bi3+

i) Determine the oxidation number of Bi before and after the reaction.

ii) Balance the equation for the above reaction in acidic medium.
iii) Which substance acts as an oxidizing agent in the reaction?

QUESTION 5

Given below is the unbalanced equation of a redox reaction occurring in the acidic
medium:

Cr3+ + ClO3- Cr2O72- + ClO2

Based on the above equation, answer the following questions.

i) Identify the oxidizing agent and the reducing agent.

ii) Balance the above equation using in acidic medium.

QUESTION 6

The following redox reaction is conducted in an acidic solution:

MnO4- + CIO3- → Mn2+ + CIO4-

i) Balance the equation for the above redox reaction in acidic medium.
ii) Identify the reducing agent.
iii) State the product of the reduction process.

QUESTION 7

The redox reaction (in acidic medium) is represented by the following equation:

MnO4- + Fe2+ → Mn2+ + Fe3+

i) Balance the above equation.

ii) Identify the oxidizing and reducing agents.

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