Knowledge Flow

Study of the First Element-Hydrogen - Exercise 6(D)

Solution 1
In the electronic concept, oxidation is a process in which an atom or ion loses
electron(s).
Zn → Zn2+ + 2e-
Oxidation is also defined as a chemical process which involves
i. Addition of oxygen
ii. Addition of electronegative ion
iii. Removal of hydrogen
iv. Removal of electropositive ion (element)
In the electronic concept, reduction is a process in which an atom or ion gains electrons.
Cu2+ + 2e-→ Cu
Reduction is also defined as a chemical process which involves
i. Removal of oxygen
ii. Addition of electropositive ion
iii. Addition of hydrogen
iv. Removal of electronegative ion

Question 2
Is it essential that oxidation and reduction must occur side by side in a chemical
reaction? Explain

Solution 2
 In a chemical reaction, if one substance is oxidised, the other substance must necessarily
be reduced. This is because the electrons lost during oxidation are simultaneously
gained during reduction and vice versa.
For example: Zinc reacts with copper sulphate to form zinc sulphate and copper.
CuSO4 + Zn → ZnSO4 + Cu
Cu + 2SO42- + Zn →Zn + 2SO42- + Cu
Writing the half reaction,
Zn → Zn2+ + 2e- (Oxidation)
Cu2+ + 2e-→ Cu (Reduction)
They occur simultaneously as
Cu2+ + Zn→ Zn2++ Cu
Thus, oxidation and reduction always occur simultaneously.

Question 3
State, giving reasons, whether the substances printed in bold letters have been oxidized
or reduced.
a. PbO + CO → Pb + CO2
b. Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2
c. H2S + Cl2→ 2HCl + S
d. Cl2 + H2S → 2HCl + S

Solution 3
a. PbO in the given reaction is reduced to Pb by losing oxygen.
b. Magnesium undergoes oxidation by loss of electrons (Mg - 2e- → Mg2+).
c. H2S undergoes oxidation by loss of hydrogen to give sulphur.
d. Chlorine undergoes reduction by the addition of hydrogen to form HCl.

Question 4
State whether the following conversions are oxidation or reduction:
a. PbO2 + SO2→ PbSO4
b. Cu2+ + 2 e-→ Cu
c. K → K+ + e-
d. 2Cl- - e-→ Cl2

Solution 4
a. Oxidation
b. Reduction
c. Oxidation
d. Oxidation

Question 5
In the following reaction: A+ + B → A + B+. Write half reactions for this reaction and
name:
a. oxidizing agent
 b. substance oxidized
c. reducing agent

Solution 5
Half reaction:
A+ + e-→ A (Reduction)
B → B + e- (Oxidation)
a. A
b. B
c. B

Question 6
Divide the following reactions into oxidation and reduction half reactions:
i. Zn + Pb2+→ Pb + Zn 2+
ii. Zn + Cu2+ → Cu + Zn 2+
iii. Cl2 + 2Br- → Br2 + 2Cl-

Solution 6
i. Zn + Pb2+ → Pb + Zn 2+
Zn → Zn 2+ + 2 e- ---- Oxidation
Pb2+ + 2 e → Pb ---- Reduction

ii. Zn + Cu2+ → Cu + Zn 2+
Zn → Zn 2+ + 2 e- ---- Oxidation
Cu2+ + 2 e → Cu ---- Reduction

iii. Cl2 + 2Br- → Br2 + 2Cl-

Question 7
a. Write the equation in the ionic form
CuSO4(aq) + Fe(s)→ FeSO4(aq) + Cu(s)
b. Divide the above equation into oxidation and reduction half reactions.

Solution 7
a. Equation in the ionic form:
Cu2+ SO42- + Fe → Fe2+ SO42- + Cu
b. Fe → Fe2+ 2 e- ---- Oxidation
Cu2+ + 2 e → Cu ---- Reduction

Question 8
Give reasons:
a. Hydrogen is collected by the downward displacement of water and not of air, even
though it is lighter than air.
 b. A candle brought near the mouth of a jar containing hydrogen gas starts burning but
is extinguished when pushed inside the jar.
c. Apparatus for laboratory preparation of hydrogen should be air tight and away from
a naked flame.

Solution 8
a. Hydrogen is collected by the downward displacement of air because
i. It is insoluble in water.
ii. It forms an explosive mixture with air and therefore cannot be collected by the
downward displacement of air even though it is lighter than it.
b. Hydrogen is combustible, but it does not support combustion. So, the candle burns in
air or oxygen when brought near the mouth of a jar containing hydrogen but is
extinguished when pushed inside the jar as the supply of oxygen is cut off.
c. Apparatus for laboratory preparation of hydrogen should be airtight and away from
a naked flame because a mixture of hydrogen and air explodes violently when
brought near a flame.

Question 9
Select the odd one out and justify your answer.
a. Zn, Fe, Mg and Na
b. SO2, H2S, NH3 and CO3
c. Fe, Zn, Cu and Mg
d. Fe, Pb, Al and Zn

Solution 9
a. Na
The other metals react with dil. HCl liberating hydrogen gas, while sodium reacts
violently with acid.
b. NH3 is basic in nature.
c. Cu
Metals more reactive than hydrogen can displace it from acids.
d. Pb
Lead reacts with dilute sulphuric acid or HCl and forms an insoluble coating of lead
sulphate or lead chloride.
The others react with dilute sulphuric acid or HCl to liberate hydrogen.

Question 10
a. Helium is preferred to hydrogen for filling balloons because it is:
i. lighter than air
ii. almost as light as hydrogen
iii. non-combustible
iv. inflammable
b. Reacting with water, an active metal produces
i. oxygen
 ii. nitric acid
iii. a base
iv. none of these
c. A metal oxide that is reduced by hydrogen is
i. Al2O3
ii. CuO
iii. CaO
iv. Na2O
d. Which of the following statements about hydrogen is incorrect?
i. It is an inflammable gas
ii. It is the lightest gas.
iii. It is not easily liquefied
iv. It is a strong oxidizing agent.
e. For the reaction PbO + H2→ Pb + H2O, which of the following statements is wrong?
i. H2 is the reducing agent.
ii. PbO is the oxidizing agent.
iii. PbO is oxidized to Pb.
iv. H2 is oxidized to H2O.
f. Which metal gives hydrogen with all of the following: water, acids, alkalis?
i. Fe
ii. Zn
iii. Mg
iv. Pb
g. Which of the following metals does not give hydrogen with acids?
i. Iron
ii. Copper
iii. Lead
iv. Zinc

Solution 10
a. non-combustible
b. base
c. CuO
d. It is a strong oxidising agent.
e. (iii) PbO is oxidised to Pb.
f. (ii) Zn
g. (ii) Cu

Question 11
Choose terms from the options given in brackets to complete these sentences.
a. When CuO reacts with hydrogen,………………… is reduced and ……………….is
oxidized to ………………… .
(CuO, H2,Cu,H2O)
b. Hydrogen is ………………… soluble in water.
 (sparingly, highly, moderately)
c. Metals like …………….. , ……………… and ……………… give H2 with steam.
(iron, magnesium, aluminium, sodium , calcium)
d. Sodium ………………. reacts smoothly with cold water.
(metal, amalgam, in the molten state)
e. A metal …………….. hydrogen in the activity series gives hydrogen with ……………
acid or …………… acid.
(above, below, dilute hydrochloric, concentrated hydrochloric, dilute sulphuric).

Solution 11
a. CuO, H2, H2O
b. sparingly
c. magnesium, iron and aluminium
d. amalgam
e. above, dilute hydrochloric, dilute sulphuric acid

Question 12
Correct the following statements:
a. Hydrogen is separated from CO by passing the mixture through caustic potash
solution.
b. All metals react with acids to give hydrogen.
c. Hydrogen is dried by passing it through conc. H2SO4.
d. Very dilute nitric acid reacts with iron to produce hydrogen.
e. Conc. H2SO4 reacts with zinc to liberate hydrogen.

Solution 12
a. Hydrogen is separated from CO by passing the mixture through caustic potash
solution.
b. All metals above hydrogen in the activity series react with acids to give hydrogen.
c. Hydrogen is dried by passing it through calcium chloride, caustic potash and
phosphorous pentoxide.
d. Very dilute nitric acid reacts with magnesium and manganese to produce hydrogen.
e. Dil. H2SO4 reacts with zinc to liberate hydrogen.

Question 13
Name:
a. an oxidizing agent that does not contain oxygen.
b. a substance that oxidizes concentrated HCl to chlorine.
c. a substance that will reduce aqueous Iron(III)ions to Iron(II)ions.
d. a liquid that is an oxidizing agent as well as a reducing agent.
e. a gas that is an oxidizing as well as a reducing agent.
f. a solid that is an oxidizing agent.

Solution 13
a. Chlorine
b. MnO2
c. H2S
d. Hydrogen peroxide
e. MnO2