Question

In the chemical reaction shown below, which element was reduced? 2Li + Cl2 yields 2LiCl Li, because it gained an electron Li, because it lost an electron Cl, because it gained an electron Cl, because it lost an electron

Answer 1

Cl is reduced because it gained an electron

Step-by-step explanation:

Reactions in which the reactants change their oxidation numbers are called oxidation-reduction or redox reactions. In that case, reduction means that one (or more) of the reactants has gained an electron (or electrons) and therefore decreased its oxidation number.

Now, let's find oxidation numbers in our reaction. If the reactant is free (in its elementary state) the oxidation number is 0, as it is in the case of Li and Cl2. However, in LiCl, lithium has oxidation number +1, while the chlorine has -1. That means that Li lost an electron and Cl gained it.

Considering the explanation of what reduction means, the correct answer is:

c) Cl is reduced because it gained an electron