In the following reaction, which element is oxidized? Cu + FeSO4 Fe + CUSO4 Select one: �°. Cu b. Fe C. S d. O e. None, this is not a redox reaction. None In the following reaction, which element is oxidized? Cu + FeSO4 → Fe + CuSO4 Select one: a. Cu b. Fe c. S d. O e. None, this is not a redox reaction.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is a. Cu (Copper).
Explanation:
To understand which element is oxidized in the reaction:
Cu + FeSO₄ → Fe + CuSO₄
We must identify the elements that undergo oxidation and reduction, which involves understanding the transfer of electrons in the reaction. Oxidation is the loss of electrons, while reduction is the gain of electrons.
- Oxidation States:
- In elemental copper (Cu), the oxidation state is 0.
- In iron(II) sulfate (FeSO₄), iron (Fe) has an oxidation state of +2 (since sulfate ion SO₄²⁻ has a charge of -2, balancing Fe²⁺).
- In copper sulfate (CuSO₄), copper has an oxidation state of +2 (because sulfate again carries a -2 charge, balancing the +2 of copper).
- In elemental iron (Fe), the oxidation state is 0.
- Determining Oxidation and Reduction:
- Copper (Cu) goes from an oxidation state of 0 to +2. This means copper loses electrons, so it is oxidized.
- Iron (Fe) goes from an oxidation state of +2 in FeSO₄ to 0 in elemental Fe. This means iron gains electrons, so it is reduced.
Thus, copper (Cu) is oxidized because it loses electrons, and iron (Fe) is reduced because it gains electrons.
This reaction is a classic example of a redox (reduction-oxidation) process, where one element is oxidized (Cu) and another is reduced (Fe). The sulfate ions (SO₄²⁻) and oxygen (O) remain unaffected in terms of oxidation state, so they are not involved in the redox process.
Redox Reaction Summary:
- Oxidation: Cu (0) → Cu²⁺ (in CuSO₄), Cu loses electrons.
- Reduction: Fe²⁺ (in FeSO₄) → Fe (0), Fe gains electrons.
So, the correct answer is a. Cu.