Question

Student follow up

1 The ionic equation for the reaction between zinc and sulfuric acid is:
Zn(s) + 2H+ (aq) - Zn?"(aq) + H2(g)
a State what has been oxidised in this reaction. Explain your answer in
terms of electrons.

Answer 1

Zinc (Zn) was oxidized

Step-by-step explanation:

The ionic equation given is;

• Zn(s) + 2H+ (aq) → Zn²⁺(aq) + H2(g)

To answer the question, we can first write the half equation for the above reaction;

The half equations are;

• Zn(s) → Zn²⁺(aq) + 2e, and
• 2H⁺(aq) + 2e → H₂(g)

From the half equations;

• Zn lost two electrons to form Zn²⁺, while
• 2H⁺ gained two electrons to form H₂

Therefore;

• Zn underwent oxidation which is the loss of electrons while H+ underwent reduction which is the gain of electrons.

Answer 2

Hydrogen accept the two electron form zinc and get reduced. Zinc loses its to electron and get oxidized.

Step-by-step explanation:

The oxidation reduction reactions are called redox reaction. These reactions are take place by gaining or losing the electrons and oxidation state of elements are changed.

Oxidation:

Oxidation involve the removal of electrons and oxidation state of atom of an element is increased.

Reduction:

Reduction involve the gain of electron and oxidation number is decreased.

Oxidizing agents:

Oxidizing agents oxidize the other elements and itself gets reduced.

Reducing agents:

Reducing agents reduced the other element are it self gets oxidized.

Chemical reaction:

Zn(s) + 2H⁺(aq) → Zn²⁺(aq) + H₂(g)

zinc is oxidized because its oxidation state increase from 0 to +2 and hydrogen is reduced because its oxidation state decreased from +2 to 0.

Hydrogen accept the two electron form zinc and get reduced. Zinc loses its to electron and get oxidized.