Student follow up

1 The ionic equation for the reaction between zinc and sulfuric acid is:

Zn (s) + 2H + (aq) - Zn?" (aq) + H2 (g)

a State what has been oxidised in this reaction. Explain your answer in

terms of electrons.

Hydrogen accept the two electron form zinc and get reduced. Zinc loses its to electron and get oxidized.

Explanation:

The oxidation reduction reactions are called redox reaction. These reactions are take place by gaining or losing the electrons and oxidation state of elements are changed.

Oxidation:

Oxidation involve the removal of electrons and oxidation state of atom of an element is increased.

Reduction:

Reduction involve the gain of electron and oxidation number is decreased.

Oxidizing agents:

Oxidizing agents oxidize the other elements and itself gets reduced.

Reducing agents:

Reducing agents reduced the other element are it self gets oxidized.

Chemical reaction:

Zn (s) + 2H⁺ (aq) → Zn²⁺ (aq) + H₂ (g)

zinc is oxidized because its oxidation state increase from 0 to + 2 and hydrogen is reduced because its oxidation state decreased from + 2 to 0.

Hydrogen accept the two electron form zinc and get reduced. Zinc loses its to electron and get oxidized.

Zinc (Zn) was oxidized

Explanation:

The ionic equation given is;

Zn (s) + 2H + (aq) → Zn²⁺ (aq) + H2 (g)

To answer the question, we can first write the half equation for the above reaction;

The half equations are;

Zn (s) → Zn²⁺ (aq) + 2e, and 2H⁺ (aq) + 2e → H₂ (g)

From the half equations;

Zn lost two electrons to form Zn²⁺, while 2H⁺ gained two electrons to form H₂

Therefore;

Zn underwent oxidation which is the loss of electrons while H + underwent reduction which is the gain of electrons.