Question

Q2. Identify oxidizing and reducing agent in the following reactions:

a) Fe(s) + Cu$^{2+}$(aq) → Fe$^{2+}$(aq) + Cu(s)

b) 2Cu$_2$O(s) + Cu$_2$S(s) → 6Cu(s) + SO$_2$(g)

Answer 1

a) Oxidizing agent: Cu$^{2+}$; Reducing agent: Fe b) Oxidizing agent: Cu$_2$O; Reducing agent: Cu$_2$S

Answer 2

(a) Fe is oxidized from 0 to +2 (reducing agent) and Cu$^{2+}$ is reduced to 0 (oxidizing agent).

(b) In Cu$_2$S, S is oxidized from -2 to +4 (making Cu$_2$S the reducing agent) while Cu$^{+}$ ions (in Cu$_2$O) are reduced to 0 (making Cu$_2$O the oxidizing agent).