Question

What is the total number of electrons transferred in the redox reaction below? Enter your answer as a number. 3 Zn(s) + 2 A¹³+ (aq) + 2Al(s) + 3 Zn²+(aq)

Answer 1

The total number of electrons transferred in the provided redox reaction is 6 electrons, as each zinc atom loses 2 electrons and there are three zinc atoms involved in the reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The total number of electrons transferred in a redox reaction is derived by examining the oxidation states of the elements before and after the reaction and using the half-reaction method. In the given equation, zinc (Zn) is oxidized, and another element, generically represented as A with a 3+ charge, is reduced. The oxidation half-reaction for zinc can be represented as:

Zn(s) → Zn²+(aq) + 2e¯

Since there are three zinc atoms, this would result in:

3Zn(s) → 3Zn²+(aq) + 6e¯

Now, let us consider the reduction half-reaction for the element A:

A³+(aq) + 3e¯ → A(s)

To balance the electrons, two moles of A with a 3+ charge are needed:

2A³+(aq) + 6e¯ → 2A(s)

Adding the two half-reactions together, and canceling out the electrons, we get the balanced overall reaction:

3Zn(s) + 2A³+(aq) → 3Zn²+(aq) + 2A(s)

The total number of electrons transferred here is 6 electrons. This is because each zinc atom loses 2 electrons, and there are three zinc atoms, yielding 6 electrons transferred in total.