Question

In the reaction, C (s) + O2 (g) arrow CO2 (g), the reducing agent is:

the C

the O2

the CO2

the C and the O2

Answer 1

@agent0smith @Awolflover1 @Awsomesauce @sshayer @sweetburger @Jaynator495

Answer 2

@Vuriffy

Answer 3

what? I did not say anything.

Answer 4

the reducing agent causes reduction but is itself oxidized

Answer 5

In ENGLISH: the reducing agent gives the other reactant electrons, causing it to be reduced. as a result, it loses electrons and is oxidized.

Answer 6

so first step: write out the oxidation state of each of those reactants and products.

Answer 7

@NvidiaIntely

Answer 8

The answer is C, correct?

Answer 9

let's work towards the answer first

Answer 10

ok

Answer 11

please write out oxidation states of C and O2

Answer 12

brb

Answer 13

The oxidation state of carbon can be very different, from -4 (in CH4) to +4.

Answer 14

alright so watch how I do it

Answer 15

okay.

Answer 16

Free elements have oxidation states of zero

\[C^{0}(s)~+~ O^{0}_{2} \rightarrow CO_{2}\]

Answer 17

ok....

Answer 18

You should keep that in mind that will save you time

Answer 19

okay

Answer 20

In all compounds the sum of all oxidation states is zero unless there's an ion,

if there is an ion the sum of the oxidation states equals the ion.

Answer 21

ok (I keep talking to let you know I am here)

Answer 22

Yeah so oxygen in a compound has an oxidation state of -2 because there are two oxygen atoms in CO2 we multiply -2*2 = -4.

so carbon must be +4

the sum of oxidation states = 0

so -4+4 = 0

\[CO_{2} \rightarrow Oxygen~=-2 ; \]

now

Carbon was 0 and is now +4

Oxygen was 0 and is now -2

Answer 23

Okay, I get it.

Answer 24

So based on what I said in the beginning go back and tell me what is the reducing agent. I wont just give you the answer.

Answer 25

Okay, let me see.

Answer 26

Its C?

Answer 27

C as in Carbon or CO2?

Answer 28

CO2.

Answer 29

Why?

Answer 30

Okay, maybe I don't get it, let me read it a few times more.

Answer 31

I'll be on for an other hour, so run through it step by step then get back to me.

Answer 32

Okay.

Answer 33

C

Answer 34

that was quite fast. the answer is Carbon C

Answer 35

Yeah that's what I mean't Carbon C.

Answer 36

Thanks for you help!

Answer 37

So carbon goes from an oxidation state of 0 to +4

\[C^{0} \rightarrow C^{+4}~+4e^{-}\]

Answer 38

so carbon is giving its electrons to oxygen

Answer 39

so carbon is reducing oxygen. that's what the whole reducing agent thing means. it's a confusing term at first.

Answer 40

yeah, I got that now.

Answer 41

No problem anytime

Answer 42

Okay , thanks!