Question

What reduction half-reaction happens when zinc reacts with nickel(II) chloride?

a) Zn²+ + 2e⁻ → Zn
b) Ni²+ + 2e⁻ → Ni
c) Zn → Zn²+ + 2e⁻
d) Ni → Ni²+ + 2e⁻

Answer 1

The reduction half-reaction when zinc reacts with nickel(II) chloride is Ni²+ + 2e⁻ → Ni. This is part of a redox reaction where zinc is oxidized and nickel is reduced.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reduction half-reaction that occurs when zinc reacts with nickel(II) chloride is option b) Ni²+ + 2e⁻ → Ni. In this reaction, nickel ions (Ni²+) are reduced as they gain electrons (e⁻) to form elemental nickel (Ni). This is a classic redox reaction, where zinc serves as the reducing agent, meaning it loses electrons, and nickel acts as the oxidizing agent, meaning it gains electrons. The reverse of this, where zinc is oxidized, is represented as Zn → Zn²+ + 2e⁻ and is the oxidation half-reaction. Together, these half-reactions describe the full redox process that occurs during the reaction.