Question

ectQuestion 13What is being reduced in the following reaction ?C2H4(g) + 302(g) → 2CO2(g) + 2H2O(g)C2H4H20No reduction or oxidation is occurringCO2

Answer 1

Step 1

The reaction is written and balanced as:

C2H4(g) + 302(g) → 2CO2(g) + 2H2O(g)

Step 2

Oxidation states are analyzed

For O2)

On the left, its oxidation state is 0 (O2)

On the right, it is -2 (H2O)

Step 3

The half-reaction is written as:

6 O + 12 e- => 6 O2-

Therefore, O2 is being reduced

Answer: O2