Question

Choose the oxidation state for each reactant and product below. Mg + S ---------> Mg²⁺ +S²⁻

a. -2
b -1
c. 0
d. +1
e. +2

Answer 1

The oxidation states for reactants Mg and S are 0, and for the products Mg²⁺ and S²⁻ are +2 and − 2, respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

The oxidation state for each reactant and product in the reaction Mg + S → Mg²⁺ + S²⁻ can be determined by using oxidation number rules. For magnesium (Mg), the oxidation number starts as 0 since it is in its elemental form, and in the product Mg²⁺, the oxidation number is +2. For sulfur (S), the oxidation number similarly starts as 0 in its elemental form, and changes to − 2 in the product S²⁻. These changes indicate that Mg is oxidized and S is reduced during the reaction.