Question

What is oxidized in the reaction below?
H₂ + Cl₂
2HCI

Answer 1

Here oxidation number or oxidation state of hydrogen and chlorine at reactant is 0. And oxidation numbers of hydrogen and chlorine are 1 and —1 respectively. So hydrogen is oxidized whereas chlorine is reduced.

Answer 2

Dihydrogen

Step-by-step explanation:

Dihydrogen is FORMALLY oxidized.... i.e. its oxidation number increases... And we adds the half equations together such that the electrons are eliminated