What chemical is oxidized in the following reaction? Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2

1 Answer
anor277
May 18, 2017

#"Option c."#

Explanation:

#"Oxidation"# specifies loss of electrons and AN INCREASE in oxidation number. In the given reaction, oxidation to #Mg^(2+)# occurs:

#Mg(s) rarr Mg^(2+) + 2e^-# #(i)#

Whereas hydrogen ion, hydronium ion, is reduced to dihydrogen gas.......

#stackrel(+I)H_3O^+ +e^(-) rarr 1/2stackrel(0)H_2(g)+H_2O(l)# #(ii)#

We add these together, #(i) + 2xx(ii)#, to eliminate the electrons:

#Mg(s) +2H_3O^+ rarr Mg^(2+) + H_2(g)uarr+2H_2O(l)#

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