Final answer:
The aluminum and copper change their oxidation states during the reaction, indicating a redox reaction with Al being oxidized from 0 to +3 and Cu being reduced from +2 to 0.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the oxidation state() of the atoms in the reactants and products of the given equation, we must look at each atom individually:
- Oxidation state of Al in reactant: 0 (as a pure element)
- Oxidation state of Al in product: +3 (in Al(NO3)3)
- Oxidation state of Cu in reactant: +2 (as part of Cu(NO3)2)
- Oxidation state of Cu in product: 0 (as a pure element)
- Oxidation state of N in reactant: +5 (in Cu(NO3)2)
- Oxidation state of N in product: +5 (in Al(NO3)3)
- Oxidation state of O in reactant: -2 (in Cu(NO3)2)
- Oxidation state of O in product: -2 (in Al(NO3)3)
This is a redox reaction because there is a transfer of electrons from one species to another. In the given equation, aluminum is oxidized as its oxidation state increases from 0 to +3, losing electrons. Conversely, copper is reduced as its oxidation state decreases from +2 to 0, gaining electrons.