Question

In the following reaction, the reducing agent is Al + Cr⁽³⁺⁾ → Al ⁽³⁺⁾ +Cr?

1) Al
2) Al⁽³⁺⁾
3) Cr⁽³⁺⁾
4) Cr

Answer 1

Aluminum (Al) is the reducing agent in the reaction Al + Cr³⁺ → Al³⁺ + Cr, as it loses electrons and gets oxidized from an oxidation state of 0 to +3.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the given reaction Al + Cr³⁺ → Al³⁺ + Cr, the reducing agent is the species that gets oxidized, meaning it loses electrons.

To identify the reducing agent, we can look at the changes in oxidation states for the reactants. Aluminum (Al) goes from an oxidation state of 0 to +3, while chromium (Cr³⁺) goes from +3 to 0. Since Al loses three electrons (is oxidized), it is the reducing agent.

The oxidation half-reaction is:
Al → Al³⁺ + 3e⁻

The reduction half-reaction is:
Cr³⁺ + 3e⁻ → Cr

Thus, option 1, Al, is the correct answer as it is the reducing agent that donates electrons to Cr³⁺.