Identify the atom that is oxidized, reducing agent, in the following equation: Zn (s) + H2SO4 (aq) - -> ZnSO4 (aq) + H2 (g)

Question

Chemistry

Raine

9 December, 14:51

Identify the atom that is oxidized, reducing agent, in the following equation: Zn (s) + H2SO4 (aq) - -> ZnSO4 (aq) + H2 (g)

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Kassidy Myers · Answer 1

The atom that is oxidized is Zn.

Explanation:

Reducing agents reduce other atoms or species by being oxidized themselves. Oxidation is a loss of electrons. In the equation, the Zn atom originally has an oxidation state of zero (neutral). On the right side of the equation, Zn is part of the ionic compound zinc sulfate, which is composed of the Zn (2+) cation and the SO4 (2-) anion. The Zn (2+) ion is positive, which means it must have lost electrons (which have a negative charge), and was therefore oxidized from the neutral atom Zn (s).