Question

Is the production of ammonium sulfate from sulfuric acid a redox reaction? Explain using oxidation numbers.

Answer 1

The reaction between sulfuric acid and ammonia to form ammonium sulfate is not a redox reaction because there is no change in oxidation numbers of the elements involved in the reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The production of ammonium sulfate from sulfuric acid involves the reaction of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) with ammonia (NH3) to form ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4). To determine if this is a redox reaction, we need to analyze the oxidation numbers of the elements involved before and after the reaction.

In the reactants, sulfur has an oxidation number of +6 in H2SO4, and nitrogen has an oxidation number of -3 in NH3. In the product ((NH4)2SO4), sulfur retains its oxidation number of +6, as it is still part of the sulfate ion, while nitrogen has an oxidation number of -3 within the ammonium ion (NH4+). Since there are no changes in the oxidation numbers of these elements during the reaction, it is not a redox reaction.

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

HSO4 --> (NH4)2SO4

Yes it is a redox reaction.

H is +1

S is +7

on the other side..

N is -3

H is +1 (always +1, thats part of the oxidation rule)

S is +6

O is always -2

So what happened? Sulfur lost one electron, so it is reduced. This is why is a redox reaction.