clicker said:
2H202 ----> 2H20 + 02
which species is the oxidising agent/ reducing agent and why ?
please help
thanx
To identify a redox reaction, we investigate the oxidation states of the individual species involved.
In hydrogen peroxide, the oxidation state of oxygen is:
0 = (+1)(4) + (x)(4)
0 = +4 + 4
0 = 4 + 4x
-4 = 4x
-4/4 = x
-1 = x
therefore the oxidation state of oxygen in hydrogen perioxide is -1, and if we repeat the same process for the oxidation state of oxygen in water, find that its oxidation has changed to -2.
An decrease in oxidation state means that the species was reduced (to get from -1 to -2 it must gain an electron)
If oxygen was reduced, then it is the oxidising agent.