Identify the substance oxidised and the substance reduced in the follo...
MnO2 is getting reduced and HCl is getting oxidised.
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Identify the substance oxidised and the substance reduced in the follo...
Understanding Oxidation and Reduction
In redox reactions, oxidation refers to the loss of electrons, while reduction refers to the gain of electrons. Identifying the substances oxidized and reduced is crucial for understanding the chemical changes occurring in a reaction.
Reaction Breakdown
The given reaction is:
MnO2 + 4HCl → MnCl2 + 2H2O + Cl2
To identify the substances being oxidized and reduced, we need to look at the changes in oxidation states of the elements involved.
Oxidation States
- Manganese (Mn) in MnO2 has an oxidation state of +4. In MnCl2, it has an oxidation state of +2.
- Chlorine (Cl) in HCl has an oxidation state of -1. In Cl2, it has an oxidation state of 0.
Identifying the Changes
- MnO2 to MnCl2: The oxidation state of Mn decreases from +4 to +2, indicating that it is reduced (gains electrons).
- HCl to Cl2: The oxidation state of Cl increases from -1 to 0, indicating that it is oxidized (loses electrons).
Conclusion
Based on the changes in oxidation states:
- Substance Oxidized: HCl (Chlorine is oxidized)
- Substance Reduced: MnO2 (Manganese is reduced)
Thus, the correct answer is option B: MnO2 is getting reduced and HCl is getting oxidized.