Question

In the reaction

2Fe+3Cl2→2 FeCl3
1) Fe is reduce
2) Fe is oxcidized
3) Cl2 is oxidized
4) none of these happens

Answer 1

In the reaction 2Fe + 3Cl2 → 2FeCl3, iron (Fe) is oxidized and chlorine (Cl2) is reduced as Fe loses electrons and Cl2 gains electrons.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the reaction 2Fe + 3Cl2 → 2FeCl3, the iron (Fe) is oxidized because its oxidation state increases from 0 in the elemental form to +3 in the iron(III) chloride (FeCl3). This is because Fe loses electrons when it reacts with chlorine (Cl2), which is characteristic of oxidation. Conversely, chlorine is reduced because each chlorine atom gains an electron, and its oxidation state goes from 0 to -1. This process complies with the principle that oxidation and reduction always occur simultaneously in a chemical reaction, as seen in different reactions involving the transfer of electrons, such as when Fe loses three electrons to become Fe3+ or when C gains four to become CO2.