Oxidation–Reduction Reactions (Worksheet)

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Name: ______________________________

Section: _____________________________

Student ID#:__________________________

Work in groups on these problems. You should try to answer the questions without referring to your textbook. If you get stuck, try asking another group for help.

1. Identify the oxidation state of each element in the following:

a) Na₂SO₄

b) MnO₄^–

c) KClO₃

d) CH₃OH

2. Identify the oxidation state of nitrogen in the following:

(a) NO₃^– (b) NO₂ (c) NO₂^–

(d) HNO₂ (e) NO (f) N₂O

(g) N₂ (h) NH₂OH (i) N₂H₄

3. Determine the oxidation state of the specified element in the following:

(a) Cr in Cr₂O₇^2– (b) Mn in MnO₂

(c) Fe in Fe₂O₃ (d) Ag in AgCl

Questions 4–8: Consider the activity series listed below. This series is used to predict ionic displacement reaction products. The series lists the ability of metals to displace hydrogen from water and acids. A group Round robin approach has been found to work well for this series of questions.

Metals that react with water to form hydrogen gas and a metal hydroxide: K, Ca, Na
Metals that react with steam to form hydrogen gas and a metal hydroxide: Mg, Al, Zn, Cr, Fe
Metals that react with acid to form hydrogen gas and a metal ion: Ni, Sn, Pb,
Hydrogen: H₂
Metals that do not react with acids: Cu, Hg, Ag, Pt, Au

4. Consider the descriptions of the reactions for the first three groups of metals listed in the activity series. Choose one element from each group and write its reaction.

5. Which metal is the most active? Which is the least active? Explain.

6. List the electronegativity of each of the elements in the activity series (refer to a table of electronegativity values). What is the relationship between electronegativity and activity?

7. Use the activity series and/or electronegativity values to predict whether or not each of the following reactions will occur. If a reaction occurs, write the formulas of the reactants and products and balance the equation.

a) Zinc and silver nitrate

b) Gold and sodium chloride

8. Write the equation for the reaction (if any) of sodium, zinc, and gold with hydrochloric acid. Show the oxidation state changes for each element.

a)

b)

c)

9. Compare the oxidation state of hydrogen in HCl with its oxidation state in NaH. Why are they different?

10. Describe the trend in oxidation number for main-group elements as you move left-to-right across a row in the periodic table.

11. Identify the oxidizing agent, reducing agent, substance oxidized, and substance reduced in this reaction:

Fe(NO₃)₃ (aq) + H₂S (aq) -> FeS (s) + HNO₃ (aq) + S(s).

Questions 12–13: Balancing redox reaction equations is a skill which combines chemical knowledge, common sense, and intuition. There are many methods available for balancing redox reactions, A number have been brought to your attention including the one that follows. Choose a method and complete questions 12-13.

Consider “Sophie’s Method” for balancing redox equations. Sophie was a workshop leader in the early developmental days of Workshop Chemistry. (The authors wish to express their gratitude to Sophie for her insight and contributions to this unit.) This method relates the number of electrons transferred to change in oxidation number. It consists of the following steps:

Identify the changes in oxidation states and write the oxidation half-reaction and the reduction half-reaction and for each half-reaction:
1. Balance the atom undergoing redox changes, if necessary.
2. Add the number of electrons that correspond to the change in oxidation state. For reduction half-reactions, add the electrons to the left side of the equation; for oxidation half-reactions, add the electrons to the right side of the equation.
3. Balance the charge in each half-reaction by adding H⁺ in acidic solution or adding OH^– in basic solution.
4. Add H₂O to balance oxygen and hydrogen.
5. Multiply the half-reactions by the factor needed to equalize the number of electrons. Add the half-reactions to achieve a final completed overall reaction.

Example

Balance the following redox reaction, which occurs in acidic solution:

Fe²⁺(aq) + MnO₄^–(aq) --> Fe³⁺(aq) + Mn²⁺(aq)

Solution

Step 1: +2 +7 +3 +2
Fe²⁺(aq) + MnO₄^–(aq) --> Fe³⁺(aq) + Mn²⁺(aq)

Fe²⁺(aq) --> Fe³⁺(aq) (oxidation half-reaction)

MnO₄^–(aq) --> Mn²⁺(aq) (reduction half-reaction)

Step 2: 1 Fe on each side; 1 Mn on each side; no adjustment necessary

Step 3: Fe²⁺(aq) --> Fe³⁺(aq) + e^– (oxidation half-reaction)

5 e^– + MnO₄^–(aq) --> Mn²⁺(aq) (reduction half-reaction)

Step 4: Fe²⁺ (aq) --> Fe³⁺(aq) + e^– (2+ on each side; no H⁺ necessary)

8 H⁺(aq) + 5 e^– + MnO₄^–(aq) --> Mn²⁺(aq)

Step 5: Fe²⁺ (aq) --> Fe³⁺ (aq) + e^– (no H₂O necessary)

8 H⁺(aq) + 5 e^– + MnO₄^–(aq) --> Mn²⁺(aq) + 4 H₂O(l)

Step 6: 5 x [Fe²⁺(aq) --> Fe³⁺(aq) + e^–]

8 H⁺(aq) + 5 e^– + MnO₄^– (aq) --> Mn²⁺(aq) + 4 H₂O(l)

5 Fe²⁺ (aq) + 8 H⁺(aq) + MnO₄^–(aq) --> 5 Fe³⁺ (aq) + Mn²⁺ (aq) + 4 H₂O(l)

12. Balance the following equations in acidic solution:

a) Cu (s) + NO₃^– (aq) --> NO(g) + Cu²⁺(aq)

b) Cu2Cl₂ (s) + HClO (aq) --> Cl^–(aq) + Cu²⁺(aq)

c) Cr₂O₇^2–(aq) + Fe²⁺ (aq) --> Fe³⁺(aq) + Cr³⁺ (aq)

Balance the following equations in basic solution:

d) Ca(s) + H₂O (l) -> Ca(OH)₂ (s) + H₂ (g)

e) ClO₂ (aq) + OH^– (aq) --> ClO₃^– (aq) + Cl^– (aq) + H₂O (l)

f) Fe(OH)₃ (s) + OCl^– (aq) --> FeO₄^2– (aq) + Cl^– (aq)

13. A disproportionation reaction is one in which identical species react. Consider the self-reaction of nitrogen dioxide in acidic solution to form nitrogen compounds of both lower and higher oxidation states:

NO₂ (g) --> NO₃^– (aq) + NO (g)

Balance this redox equation.