Question

Which substance is the oxidizing agent in this reaction? 2CuO (s) + C(s) → 2Cu (s) + CO₂ (g)

a) "CuO (copper oxide)"
b) "Cu (copper)"
c) "C (carbon)"
d) "CO₂ (carbon dioxide)"

Answer 1

CuO (copper oxide) is the oxidizing agent in the reaction, as it is reduced from CuO to Cu, causing the carbon to be oxidized.

Step-by-step explanation:

The substance that is the oxidizing agent in the reaction 2CuO (s) + C(s) → 2Cu (s) + CO₂ (g) is CuO (copper oxide).

In this chemical reaction, CuO is being reduced because it loses oxygen and the copper goes from a +2 oxidation state in CuO to a 0 oxidation state in Cu. According to the principle that 'oxidation is loss, reduction is gain' or 'oil rig', carbon is being oxidized as it goes from a 0 oxidation state in elemental form to a +4 oxidation state in CO₂.

Since CuO is causing another substance to be oxidized (carbon in this case), it acts as the oxidizing agent.