Part A : Multiple Choice Questions

1. The reaction between magnesium and carbon dioxide is shown in the equation.
2Mg + CO2 2MgO + C
Which statement describes what happens in this reaction?
A Carbon is oxidised.
B Magnesium is reduced.
C Neither oxidation nor reduction happens.
D The carbon in carbon dioxide is reduced.

2. Which changes involve reduction?

1 2I– I2 + 2e–
2 CuO + H2 Cu + H2O
3 Al3+ + 3e– Al
4 Pb2+ + SO42– PbSO4
A 1 and 2 C 2 and 3
B 1 and 4 D 3 and 4

3. Zinc is extracted from its ore, zinc blende, using two chemical reactions.
1 2ZnS + 3O2 2ZnO + 2SO2
2 2ZnO + C 2Zn + CO2
Which substance is reduced in reactions 1 and 2?

4. The ionic equation for the reaction of aqueous potassium bromide with chlorine gas is shown.
2Br– + Cl2 Br2 + 2Cl–
Which statement is correct?
A Bromide ions are oxidised by gaining electrons.
B Bromide ions are oxidised by losing electrons.
C Chlorine is oxidised by gaining electrons.
D Chlorine is oxidised by losing electrons.

5. Which changes represent reduction?

1 Cl2 + 2e– 2Cl–
2 Mn(VII) Mn(II)
3 sulfate(IV) sulfate(VI)
A 1 and 2 C 1 only
B 1 and 3 D 2 only

1 | Redox Reactions
6. In which reaction is the underlined substance reduced?

7. Reduction can be defined in terms of the gain or loss of oxygen or of hydrogen or of electrons.
Which row correctly describes all three definitions of reduction?

8. What is the oxidation number of sulfur in each species?

9. (NH4)2Cr2O7 decomposes when heated.

Which element is oxidised and which element is reduced?

2 | Redox Reactions
10. The ionic equation for the reaction between zinc and aqueous copper ions is shown.
Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)
Which statement about this reaction is correct?
A Copper ions are oxidised and their oxidation state changes.
B Copper ions are reduced because they lose electrons.
C Zinc atoms are oxidised and their oxidation state changes.
D Zinc atoms are reduced because they gain electrons.

Part B : Structured Questions

1. Chromium can be manufactured by the reduction of chromium(III) oxide, Cr 2O3, with aluminium.
Cr2O3 + 2Al Al2O3 + 2Cr
How does this equation show that chromium(III) oxide is reduced? [1]

2. The equation for the reaction of phosphorus with copper(II) ions is shown.
2P + 5Cu2+ + 8H2O 5Cu + 2PO43− + 16H+
Identify the oxidising agent. Explain your answer.
oxidising agent: .........................................................................................................................
explanation: ..............................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................... [2]

3. Chlorine can be prepared using the following reaction.

Explain why MnO2(s) is described as an oxidising agent in this reaction.

Refer to oxidation numbers in your answer. [1]

4. H3PO4 can be produced by direct reaction of phosphorus with nitric acid.

Use oxidation numbers to show that this reaction is a redox reaction. [2]

5. The equation shows one of the reactions occurring in the blast furnace.
2Fe2O3 + 3C 4Fe + 3CO2
How does this equation show that Fe2O3 is reduced? [1]

3 | Redox Reactions
6. Aqueous potassium iodide reacts with aqueous copper(II) sulfate to produce iodine.
(a) Balance the chemical equation for this reaction. [2]
KI + CuSO4 CuI + I2 + K2SO4

(b) Deduce the charge on the copper ion in CuI. [1]

(c) In terms of electron transfer, explain why copper is reduced in this reaction. [1]

(d) Identify the reducing agent. [1]

7. Displacement reactions occur between metals and metal ions.

(a) Displacement reactions can be used to determine the order of reactivity of metals such as
lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and silver (Ag). The ionic equation for a displacement reaction is
shown.
Ni(s) + Pb2+(aq) Pb(s) + Ni2+(aq)
The ionic half-equations for this reaction are shown.
Ni(s) Ni2+(aq) + 2e–
Pb2+(aq) + 2e– Pb(s)
The ionic half-equations show that electrons are donated by nickel atoms and accepted by
lead ions.
(i) Identify the reducing agent in the displacement reaction. Give a reason for your
answer.
reducing agent....................................................................................................................
reason............................................................................................................................[2]
(ii) What is the general term given to the type of reaction in which electrons are trans-
ferred from one species to another? [1]

(b) The ionic equation for another displacement reaction is shown.

Pb(s) + 2Ag+(aq) 2Ag(s) + Pb2+(aq)
Write the two ionic half-equations for this reaction. [2]

8. What is the oxidation state of the named element in each of the following compounds? [3]
(a) nitrogen in N2O5

(b) copper in CuSO4

+
(c) nitrogen in NH4

4 | Redox Reactions
9. Use the changes in oxidation numbers to determine which elements are oxidized and which are
reduced in these reactions. (Note: it is not necessary to use balanced equations)

5 | Redox Reactions