Given the reaction below, which is the reduced substance?
Mg + Cl2 ----- Mg2+ + 2Cl-

Question

Given the reaction below, which is the reduced substance?
Mg + Cl2  ----->  Mg2+ + 2Cl-

jfraser · Answer

what's the difference between an oxidation and a reduction? One of those 2 reactants gains electrons, and one of those reactants loses electrons. Look at each species, and decide which one is following reduction

$$Mg \rightarrow Mg^{+2}$$or$$Cl_2 \rightarrow 2Cl^{-1}$$

anonymous · Answer

2Cl-1 is the answer?

jfraser · Answer

No, the chloride ion isn't reduced, it's the end result of the reduction of one of the reactants

anonymous · Answer

possible answers
2CI-

CI2

Mg

Mg2+

jfraser · Answer

it's not the chloride ion. When a question like this asks: which substance GETS reduced (or oxidized) they're asking about a reactant

anonymous · Answer

oh, okay. I chose Cl2

jfraser · Answer

good choice.  Since reduction is the GAIN of electrons, the substance that gets reduced has to end up with more electrons than it started with. Cl2 gets reduced, turning each atom into a Cl-1 ion

anonymous · Answer

thank you.

somy · Answer

OIL RIG 
Oxidation is losing
Reduction is gaining 
this is best way to remember what oxidation and whats reduction