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N the reaction Mg + 2HCl -> MgCl2 + H2 which element’s oxidation number does not change?

User John Duff
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2 Answers

1 vote

Answer:

A - Cl

Step-by-step explanation:

Correct on EDGE

User Michelson
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Answer:- Oxidation number of Cl does not change as it is -1 on both sides.

Explanations:- oxidation number of Mg on reactant side is 0 as it is in its elemental form(not combined with another element).

Oxidation number of hydrogen in its compounds is +1, so if H is +1 in HCl the oxidation number of Cl is -1 as the sum has to be zero.

On product side, Mg oxidation number is +2 as the oxidation number of alkaline earth metals in their compounds is +2.

Two Cl are present in magnesium chloride, so if Mg is +2 then Cl is -1.

Oxidation number of H on product side is 0 as it is present in its elemental for,
H_2 ,

So, it is only chlorine(Cl) whose oxidation number does not change for the given equation.


User Hanno Fietz
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