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In the following reaction, is aluminum being oxidized or reduced? 4Al (s) + 3O2(g) → 2Al2O3(s)

User Ani Menon
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Answer:

oxidized

Step-by-step explanation:

The oxidation number of an uncombined element is 0, so the oxidation of aluminum in the reactants is 0.

The oxidation number of aluminum in aluminum oxide is +3.

This means the oxidation number of aluminum is increasing, and thus electrons are lost. This means that aluminum is being oxidized.

User Machine
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