In the following reaction what is oxided and reduced? what is the oxidizing reagent?
Mg+l2 - Mgl2

Question

In the following reaction what is oxided and reduced? what is the oxidizing reagent? 
Mg+l2 -> Mgl2

photon336 · Answer

What do you think?

theriverspirit · Answer

i don't know can you explain it for me with the answer?

photon336 · Answer

yes so whenever we have free elements like mg and I2 their oxidation states are 0

photon336 · Answer

now oxidation means loss of electrons so the oxidation state will go up.

reduction means gaining of electrons so the oxidation state will go down.

photon336 · Answer

just to see here. 

$$Mg^{0} + I_{2}^{0} \rightarrow Mg^{2+}I^{2-}$$

theriverspirit · Answer

so Mg^2+ is oxided?

photon336 · Answer

yes and how do you know that?

theriverspirit · Answer

because the oxidation state went up when the reaction completed. Obviously I^2- means that it is the reduced. So whats the oxidizing agent?

photon336 · Answer

yeah so oxidizing agent is the substance that causes the other to be oxidized

photon336 · Answer

but is itself reduced

theriverspirit · Answer

so I^2- is the oxidizing agent, correct?

photon336 · Answer

$$I_{2} = oxidizing~agent $$

theriverspirit · Answer

thanks for the help

theriverspirit · Answer

i understand why I2 is the oxidizing agent and not I^2-

photon336 · Answer

i2 is taking electrons from Mg and causing Mg to be oxidized to mg^2+

theriverspirit · Answer

yeah

photon336 · Answer

Mg is giving electrons to I2 and being oxidized.