i think the answer is 2 but if the oxidation state of the 2K is 2+ in the reactants side and the 2K in the products side is 0, how can it GAIN electrons? i can see that it is being reduced, but doesnt reduction mean a gain of electrons? i am SUPER confused.
2. In the reaction 2KCl(L) → 2K(s) + Cl2(g), the K+ ions are
(1) reduced by losing electrons
(2) reduced by gaining electrons
(3) oxidized by losing electrons
(4) oxidized by gaining electrons
thank you so much! 10 points best answer!!
2. In the reaction 2KCl(L) → 2K(s) + Cl2(g), the K+ ions are
(1) reduced by losing electrons
(2) reduced by gaining electrons
(3) oxidized by losing electrons
(4) oxidized by gaining electrons
thank you so much! 10 points best answer!!
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In redox chemistry, don't worry about how many moles are reacting with what. Oxidation state of K in KCl should be just +1 (cation has 1+ charge).
Yes you're right that K has oxidation number of 0.
So what has happened is that the K has GAINED electrons (remember electrons give a negative charge - I think this was your confusion). So the more electrons something has, the lower it's Oxidation Number.
You may be thinking "if K is a cation - why does it GAIN electrons? Don't cations lose them?" They do.
With this reaction you have to pump a HUGE amount of electricity to separate the salt. This is why table salt is so stable. It takes a large amount of electricity to break the ionic bonds and there's also entropy to consider but I won't worry about that.
It is also the reason we can't easily make hydrogen from water. It requires a large amount of electricity
Yes you're right that K has oxidation number of 0.
So what has happened is that the K has GAINED electrons (remember electrons give a negative charge - I think this was your confusion). So the more electrons something has, the lower it's Oxidation Number.
You may be thinking "if K is a cation - why does it GAIN electrons? Don't cations lose them?" They do.
With this reaction you have to pump a HUGE amount of electricity to separate the salt. This is why table salt is so stable. It takes a large amount of electricity to break the ionic bonds and there's also entropy to consider but I won't worry about that.
It is also the reason we can't easily make hydrogen from water. It requires a large amount of electricity
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When a species gains electrons, its oxidation state is reduced. K goes from a +1 state in KCl to a neutral state (0) in K(s). It gained an electron, which is a negative charge, and that reduced its positive charge to neutral.
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http://www.kentchemistry.com/links/Redox…
more redox links
http://www.kentchemistry.com/links/Redox…
more redox links
http://www.kentchemistry.com/links/Redox…