Question

The surface of silver metal, Ag(s), became tarnished when it was exposed to oxygen, producing Ag2O. In Ag2O, the oxidation state of silver is 1. According to this information, silver metal was _____. Please choose the correct answer from the following choices, and then select the submit answer button. Answer choices reduced

Answer 1

Answer: The silver metal was OXIDIZED.

Step-by-step explanation:

OXIDATION is defined as loss of electrons and increase in oxidation number of an atom.

Oxidation number is the charge on an ion in an ionic compound or the charge that an atom in a covalent compound would have it it were ionic. There are basic rules governing oxidation number, they include:

--> the oxidation number of elements in their free states is ZERO. Example O2, Cl2,Na, Al, Ag.

-->The oxidation number for an ion is the same as the size and sign of the charge on the ion. For example the oxidation number of Zn2+ is +2.

--> the sum of all the oxidation numbers of the elements in a compound is zero.

--> oxidation numbers are always written with either a positive or a negative sign.

On the other hand, reduction is the opposite of oxidation. As oxidation is taking place, reduction is also taking place. Reduction involves:

--> Gain of electron and

--> decrease in oxidation number

From the question, the silver metal had ZERO as it's oxidation number because it's in free state. After being exposed to oxygen to form silver oxide, the oxidation number became +1.

Since there is an increase in the oxidation number, the silver metal was OXIDIZED