(a) Identify the substance oxidized, substance reduced, oxidizing agent and reducing agent in the following reaction:
(b) packets of potato chips are flushed with nitrogen gas, why?
(a) Identify the substance oxidized, substance reduced, oxidizing agent and reducing agent in the following reaction:
(b) packets of potato chips are flushed with nitrogen gas, why?
Oxidation and reduction reactions
Addition of oxygen is called oxidation. Oxidation can also be defined as an increase in the oxidation number of removal of electrons. When oxygen is removed from a substance, it is said to be reduced. Reduction causes a decrease in oxidation number and can also be defined as the addition of electrons. Oxidation and reduction reactions occur simultaneously and are called redox reactions.
Oxidizing and reducing agents
In a redox reaction, one of the reactant is oxidized and the other is reduced. The reactant that aids in the reduction of other by donating electron is called the reducing agent. Therefore, a reducing agent in the reaction is oxidized. Similarly, the reactant that gets reduced is called the oxidizing agent.
Therefore, reducing agent is the reactant that gets oxidized and oxidizing agent is the reactant that gets reduced during a redox reaction.
(a) In the given redox reaction, Zinc oxide (ZnO) reacts with Carbon (C) to form elemental Zinc (Zn) and Carbon monoxide (CO). The balanced equation for the reaction is:
(Zinc (Carbon) (Zinc) (Carbon
oxide) monoxide)
In the reaction, the oxidation state of Zinc decreases from +2 in Zinc oxide to 0 in Zinc. Therefore, it undergoes reduction and Zinc oxide is the oxidizing agent. The oxidation state of Carbon increases from 0 in Carbon to +2 in Carbon monoxide (CO). Therefore, it undergoes oxidation and Carbon is the reducing agent.
Addition of oxygen can also be used to identify the substance oxidized and reduced.
(b) The oil in the potato chips undergoes reaction with Oxygen (O2) in the atmosphere and turns rancid. It is an example for oxidation reaction of oil that causes its degradation. To prevent this oxidation, the oxygen in the bag of potato chips is replaced with Nitrogen gas (N2).
Oxygen is highly reactive and can degrade the oil. Nitrogen is an inert gas. Therefore, it will not react with the oil in chips and cause oxidation. Therefore, Nitrogen keeps the potato chips fresh.
Oxidation and reduction reactions
Addition of oxygen is called oxidation. Oxidation can also be defined as an increase in the oxidation number of removal of electrons. When oxygen is removed from a substance, it is said to be reduced. Reduction causes a decrease in oxidation number and can also be defined as the addition of electrons. Oxidation and reduction reactions occur simultaneously and are called redox reactions.
Oxidizing and reducing agents
In a redox reaction, one of the reactant is oxidized and the other is reduced. The reactant that aids in the reduction of other by donating electron is called the reducing agent. Therefore, a reducing agent in the reaction is oxidized. Similarly, the reactant that gets reduced is called the oxidizing agent.
Therefore, reducing agent is the reactant that gets oxidized and oxidizing agent is the reactant that gets reduced during a redox reaction.
(a) In the given redox reaction, Zinc oxide (ZnO) reacts with Carbon (C) to form elemental Zinc (Zn) and Carbon monoxide (CO). The balanced equation for the reaction is:
(Zinc (Carbon) (Zinc) (Carbon
oxide) monoxide)
In the reaction, the oxidation state of Zinc decreases from +2 in Zinc oxide to 0 in Zinc. Therefore, it undergoes reduction and Zinc oxide is the oxidizing agent. The oxidation state of Carbon increases from 0 in Carbon to +2 in Carbon monoxide (CO). Therefore, it undergoes oxidation and Carbon is the reducing agent.
Addition of oxygen can also be used to identify the substance oxidized and reduced.
(b) The oil in the potato chips undergoes reaction with Oxygen (O2) in the atmosphere and turns rancid. It is an example for oxidation reaction of oil that causes its degradation. To prevent this oxidation, the oxygen in the bag of potato chips is replaced with Nitrogen gas (N2).
Oxygen is highly reactive and can degrade the oil. Nitrogen is an inert gas. Therefore, it will not react with the oil in chips and cause oxidation. Therefore, Nitrogen keeps the potato chips fresh.
