Final answer:
The redox reaction O₂(g) + 2Cu(s) → 2CuO(s) can be separated into oxidation half-reaction (Cu(s) → Cu²⁺(aq) + 2e⁻) and reduction half-reaction (O₂(g) + 4e⁻ → 2O²⁻), which, when balanced and combined, give the complete redox equation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To separate the redox reaction into its component half-reactions, we need to identify the oxidation and reduction processes. The given reaction is O₂(g) + 2Cu(s) → 2CuO(s).
Oxidation Half-Reaction
For the oxidation process, copper (Cu) is being oxidized:
Cu(s) → Cu²⁺(aq) + 2e⁻
Reduction Half-Reaction
For the reduction process, oxygen (O₂) is being reduced:
O₂(g) + 4e⁻ → 2O²⁻
After identifying the half-reactions, we balance them. The oxidation half-reaction is already balanced for copper and electrons. For the reduction half-reaction, we need to balance for oxygen by adding electrons.
Combining the Half-Reactions
After balancing the half-reactions for atoms and charge, we combine them to get the complete redox equation:
2Cu(s) + O₂(g) → 2CuO(s)