169k views
1 vote
In the following reaction, is aluminum being oxidized or reduced? 4Al (s) + 3O2(g) → 2Al2O3(s)

User Ani Menon
by
8.0k points

1 Answer

5 votes

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
by
8.5k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.