Question

What describes the change in oxidation states of the following reaction?

2Cl- + F2 > 2F- + Cl2

a. Cl– reduces to Cl and F oxidizes to F–.
b. Cl– oxidizes to Cl and F reduces to F–.
d. Cl is the reducing agent and F– is the oxidizing agent.

Answer 1

The answer is B, Cl- oxidizes to Cl and F reduces to F-.An oxidizing agent, gains electrons and is reduced in a chemical reaction. While reduction Reductio is the loss of oxygen atom from a molecule which results to gaining electrons.