Question

Which of these chemical equations does not describe a redox

reaction?
A.3NO2(g) + H2O(1) ► 2HNO3(aq) + NO(g)
B.2KNO3(s) → 2KNO2(s) + O2(8)
C.2LiOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) → Li2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(1)
D.2Na(s) + 2H2O(1) ► 2NaOH(aq) + H2(8)
E.O2KBr(aq) + Cl2(8) ► 2KCl(aq) + Brz(1)

Answer 1

The chemical equation that does not describe a redox reaction is 2LiOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) → Li2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l), because it is a neutralization reaction without electron transfer.

Step-by-step explanation:

Identifying the Non-Redox Chemical Equation

The chemical equation which does not describe a redox reaction is option C: 2LiOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) → Li2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l). This reaction is an acid-base neutralization reaction, not a redox reaction, because there is no transfer of electrons between the reactants. In contrast, redox reactions are characterized by the change in oxidation states of elements due to the transfer of electrons.

Examining the oxidation numbers in other options shows that A, B, D, and E are redox reactions because there is a change in oxidation numbers for at least one element in each equation. For example, in option B, which describes the thermal decomposition of potassium nitrate to potassium nitrite and oxygen, the oxygen goes from an oxidation number of -2 in KNO3 to 0 in O2, indicating it has been reduced. Therefore, B is a redox reaction.