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Determine for each of the following if it is an oxidation-reduction reaction.

a. CaO (s) + CO2 (g) à CaCO3 (s)

User Rojanu
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The reaction
(\(CaO\)) (s) +
(\(CO_2\)) (g) →
(\(CaCO_3\)) (s) is not an oxidation-reduction reaction, as there are no changes in the oxidation states of the elements involved.

The chemical equation
\(CaO (s) + CO_2 (g) → CaCO_3 (s)\) represents the formation of calcium carbonate from calcium oxide and carbon dioxide. Despite involving changes in the arrangement of atoms, this reaction is not classified as an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction because there is no alteration in the oxidation states of the elements.

Oxidation-reduction reactions involve the transfer of electrons between elements, resulting in changes in their oxidation states. In this specific reaction, calcium oxide
(\(CaO\)) reacts with carbon dioxide
(\(CO_2\)) to form calcium carbonate
(\(CaCO_3\)). The oxidation states remain constant: calcium
(\(Ca\)) maintains an oxidation state of +2, oxygen
(\(O\)) retains -2, and carbon
(\(C\)) preserves +4.

The lack of change in oxidation states indicates that no electron transfer occurs, and as such, it does not meet the criteria for an oxidation-reduction reaction. Instead, this reaction is a synthesis reaction where two substances combine to form a new compound. Understanding the nature of chemical reactions and their classification helps elucidate the underlying principles governing chemical transformations.

User Silvija
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