Question

Consider the reaction of water with $F_2$ and suggest, in terms of oxidation and reduction, which species are oxidized/reduced.

Answer 1

The reaction between fluorine and water can be represented as:
$2F_{2\left(g\right)}+2H_2{O}_{\left(l\right)}⟶4H_{\left(aq\right)}^{+}+4F_{\left(aq\right)}^{-}+O_{2\left(g\right)}$
This is an example of a redox reaction as water is getting oxidized to oxygen, while fluorine is being reduced to fluoride ion.
The oxidation numbers of various species can be represented as:

Fluorine is reduced from zero to (-1) oxidation state. A decrease in oxidation state indicates the reduction of fluorine.
Water is oxidized from (- 2) to zero oxidation state. An increase in oxidation state indicates
oxidation of water.