Question

Study this chemical reaction:Pb + 2Cl2 = PbCl4Then, write balanced half-reactions describing the oxidation and reduction that happen in this reaction.Oxidation:________?Reduction:________?

Answer 1

Oxidation: Pb → Pb⁴⁺ + 4 e⁻

Reduction: 2 Cl₂ + 4 e⁻ → 4 Cl⁻

Step-by-step explanation:

Let's consider the following redox reaction.

Pb + 2 Cl₂ ⇄ PbCl₄

We can identify both half-reactions.

Oxidation: Pb → Pb⁴⁺ + 4 e⁻

Reduction: 2 Cl₂ + 4 e⁻ → 4 Cl⁻

Pb is oxidized and its oxidation number increases from 0 to 4+ while Cl₂ is reduced and its oxidation number decreases from 0 to 1-.