Question

Which substance is the oxidizing agent in the following reaction? Cu + 2Ag+ → Cu²+ + 2Ag?

1) Ag
2) Ag+
3) Cu
4) Cu²+

Answer 1

In the reaction Cu + 2Ag+ → Cu²+ + 2Ag, the oxidizing agent is Ag+, as it gains electrons and gets reduced to Ag.

Step-by-step explanation:

The oxidizing agent in the reaction Cu + 2Ag+ → Cu²+ + 2Ag is Ag+. During this chemical reaction, copper (Cu) is oxidized to copper ions (Cu²+) and loses electrons, which are gained by the silver ions (Ag+), reducing them to silver metal (Ag). Thus, Ag+ is the species that gains electrons (is reduced) and therefore acts as the oxidizing agent.

In the given reaction Cu + 2Ag+ → Cu²+ + 2Ag, the substance that acts as the oxidizing agent is Ag+, option (2).