A mixture of potassium chlorate, oxalic acid and sulphuric acid is hea...
i.e. maximum change in oxidation number is observed in Cl (+5 to –1).
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A mixture of potassium chlorate, oxalic acid and sulphuric acid is hea...
The element that undergoes the maximum change in oxidation number during the reaction involving a mixture of potassium chlorate, oxalic acid, and sulfuric acid is carbon (C).
- Potassium chlorate (KClO3) is an ionic compound consisting of potassium ions (K+) and chlorate ions (ClO3-). In this compound, the oxidation number of chlorine is +5, and the oxidation number of oxygen is -2.
- Oxalic acid (H2C2O4) is a covalent compound consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. In this compound, the oxidation number of carbon is +3, and the oxidation number of oxygen is -2.
- Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is also a covalent compound consisting of hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen atoms. In this compound, the oxidation number of sulfur is +6, and the oxidation number of oxygen is -2.
During the reaction, the oxidation number of carbon in oxalic acid changes from +3 to +4, while the oxidation numbers of other elements remain the same.
The reaction can be represented as follows:
2KClO3 + 5H2C2O4 + H2SO4 → K2SO4 + 2CO2 + 8H2O + 2Cl2
In this reaction, oxalic acid acts as a reducing agent, causing the oxidation number of carbon to increase from +3 to +4. This is because oxalic acid loses electrons during the reaction, resulting in an increase in the oxidation state of carbon.
On the other hand, the oxidation numbers of potassium, chlorine, sulfur, and oxygen remain unchanged throughout the reaction.
Hence, the element that undergoes the maximum change in oxidation number during the reaction is carbon (C).
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