Question

What describes the change in oxidation states of the following reaction? Cu2+ reduces to Cu, and Al oxidizes to AI3+. Cu2+ oxidizes to Cu, and Al reduces to AI3+. Cu2+ is the reducing agent, and Al is the oxidizing agent. Cu is the reducing agent, and AI3+ is the oxidizing agent.

Answer 1

D. Cu is the reducing agent, and AI3+ is the oxidizing agent.

Answer 2

The reaction is

Cu⁺²(aq) ---> Cu(s) [reduction]

The species which undergoes reduction is able to oxidize other one thus will called as "oxidizing agent"

Thus Cu⁺² is an oxidizing agent

or Cu is a reducing agent

Al(s) ---> Al⁺³(aq)

Aluminium is undergoing oxidation

Thus is able to reduced others and hence is a reducing agent

Al is a reducing agent

or Al⁺³ is an oxidizing agent

Answer: Cu is the reducing agent, and AI3+ is the oxidizing agent.