Question

Consider the reaction at room temperature of 6.7 g of pure bismuth (iii) sulfide with 75 ml of 2.5 m nitric acid solution. The products are elemental sulfur, nitric oxide, bismuth (iii) nitrate, and water. Which of the following statements is correct?

1) The reaction is an example of a redox reaction.
2) The reaction is an example of a precipitation reaction.
3) The reaction is an example of a neutralization reaction.
4) The reaction is an example of a combustion reaction.

Answer 1

The reaction between bismuth (iii) sulfide and nitric acid is a redox reaction, as it involves changes in oxidation states of the reactants, yielding sulfur, nitric oxide, bismuth (iii) nitrate, and water.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reaction between bismuth (iii) sulfide and nitric acid involves the transformation of reactants into different oxidation states, which is characteristic of a redox reaction. In this process, bismuth (iii) sulfide is oxidized while nitric acid is reduced, forming elemental sulfur, nitric oxide, bismuth (iii) nitrate, and water. The formation of nitric oxide indicates the transfer of electrons, which confirms that the process is indeed a redox reaction. Therefore, the correct statement is: 1) The reaction is an example of a redox reaction.