Question

Which of the following reactions is an example of reduction? A Chlorine molecules to chloride ions B Copper atoms to copper(II) ions C Iron(II) ions to iron(III) ions D Oxide ions to oxygen gas

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Answer 1

A.) Chlorine molecules to chloride ions

Step-by-step explanation:

In reduction reactions, the reactant gains electrons and becomes more negatively charged.

A.) is correct because the neutral chorine molecule becomes more negative when it is ionized.

Cl₂ ---> Cl⁻

(neutral ----> -1)

B.) is incorrect because copper (II) ions are more positively charged than copper atoms. This means that the atoms lost electrons.

Cu ----> Cu²⁺

(neutral ----> +2)

C.) is incorrect because iron (III) ions have a higher charge than iron (II) ions. The higher the charge indicates an oxidation reaction.

Fe²⁺ ----> Fe³⁺

(+2 ----> +3)

D.) is incorrect because oxygen gas is neutral whereas oxide ions have a negative charge. Because the charge is increasing, there is a loss of electrons, not a gain of electrons.

O²⁻ ----> O₂

(-2 ----> neutral)