Flexi Says: Yes, the reaction 2Na(s) + Cl2(g) → 2NaCl(s) is a redox reaction. In this reaction, sodium (Na) is the reducing agent because it loses electrons (is oxidized) and chlorine (Cl2) is the oxidizing agent because it gains electrons (is reduced).
Thus, the oxidising agent is chlorine.
Detailed Solution
The reaction 2Na + Cl2 = 2NaCl is an example of Combination reaction. Decomposition reaction will occur when one reactant breaks down into two or more products, e.g. AB => A + B. In Combination Reaction, two or more elements/compounds combine to form a single compound, e.g. A + B => AB.
You can also say that the reaction given to you is an example of a redox reaction. The oxidation number of sodium increases from 0 on the reactants' side to +1 on the products' side, which means that sodium is being oxidized.
Flexi Says: Yes, the reaction 2Na(s) + Cl2(g) → 2NaCl(s) is a redox reaction. In this reaction, sodium (Na) is the reducing agent because it loses electrons (is oxidized) and chlorine (Cl2) is the oxidizing agent because it gains electrons (is reduced).
Since sodium got oxidized, it is the reducing agent in this equation. It doesn't matter if there was one sodium or three sodium atoms, the reducing agent is just the element or molecule itself, so Na will be the reducing agent here.
Oxidation is defined in terms of the loss of electrons, gain of oxygen, loss of hydrogen, or an increase in oxidation number. Reduction is defined in terms of gain of electrons, loss of oxygen, gain of hydrogen, or a decrease in oxidation number.
Examples of Synthesis Reactions
Another example of a synthesis reaction is the combination of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) to produce sodium chloride (NaCl). This reaction is represented by the chemical equation: 2Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl. Sodium is a highly reactive metal, and chlorine is a poisonous gas.
This is a redox reaction. Sodium is oxidized and chlorine is reduced. If oxidation occurs in a chemical reaction, simultaneously reduction also occurs. If we say in terms of oxidation number, oxidation number increase is oxidation and oxidation number decrease...
Sodium hypochlorite is a strong liquid oxidizing agent and has a greenish or yellowish hue. It is usually called bleach, because it is the active ingredient in bleach.
Seda Karabulut
