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Consider the reaction below. 2K+Br2------>2K+ +2Br-

What is being reduced?
only K
only Br2
both K and Br2
neither K nor Br2

User Asherlc
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2 Answers

2 votes

Answer:

only Br2.

Step-by-step explanation:

User Bao
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5 votes
Answer: only Br2.

Justification.

In a chemical reaction the element that gains electrons experiments a reduction in its oxidation state, that is why it is said that it is reduced.

So, to know what element is being reduced you need to calculate the oxidation states of the elements involved.

Here I indicate the oxidation states of each element if the reaction putting them inside parenthesis:

Reactants side Products side

K (0) K (1+)

Br (0) Br(1-)

So, K lost one electron, increasing its oxidation statefrom 0 to 1+, meaning that it is being oxidized.

And, each atom of Br gained one electron, reducing its oxidation state from 0 to 1-, meaning it is being reduced.

Therefore, the answer is that Br2 is the substance being reduced.
User Walterlv
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