IMPORTANT QUESTIONS OF REDOX REACTION

Question 1: Which of the following statement(s) is/are not true about the following
decomposition reaction?

2KClO3 → 2KCl + 3O2

(i) Potassium is undergoing oxidation

(ii) Chlorine is undergoing oxidation

(iii) Oxygen is reduced

(iv) None of the species are undergoing oxidation or reduction

Answer 1: (i) and (iv)

Explanation: The following statements are incorrect because it is clear from the
reaction that oxygen is being oxidised while potassium remains in the same oxidation
state.

Question 2: Identify disproportionation reaction

(i) CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O

(ii) CH4 + 4Cl2 → CCl4 + 4HCl

(iii) 2F2 + 2OH– → 2F– + OF2 + H2O

(iv) 2NO2 + 2OH– → NO2– + NO3– + H2O

Answer 2: (iv) 2NO2 + 2OH– → NO2– + NO3– + H2O

Explanation: Oxidation number of nitrogen decreases by 1 from NO2 to NO2– and

increase by +1 from NO2 to NO3–.

Question 3: Which of the following arrangements represents an increasing oxidation

number of the central atom?

(i) CrO2– , ClO3– , CrO2-4 , MnO-4

(ii) ClO3– , CrO2-4 , MnO-4 , CrO2–

(iii) CrO2– , ClO3– , MnO-4 , CrO2-4

(iv) CrO2-4 , MnO-4 , CrO2– , ClO3– ,

Answer 3: (i) CrO2– , ClO3– , CrO2-4 , MnO-4

Explanation: As the central element’s oxidation number grows as +3, +5, +6, and
+7, respectively, the above arrangement depicts the rising oxidation number of the
central atom.

Question 4: The oxidation number of an element in a compound is evaluated on the

basis of certain rules. Which of the following rules is not correct in this respect?

(i) The oxidation number of hydrogen is always +1.

(ii) The algebraic sum of all the oxidation numbers in a compound is zero.

(iii) An element in the free or uncombined state bears oxidation number zero.

(iv) In all its compounds, the oxidation number of fluorine is -1.

Answer 4: (i)

Explanation: As hydrogen picks up a negative charge when it is with its companion,

ionic hydrides have hydrogen in the -1 oxidation state.

Question 5: Using the standard electrode potential, find out the pair between which
redox reaction is not feasible.

E values: Fe3+ / Fe2+ = 0.77; I2 / I– = + 0.54;

Cu2+ / Cu = 0.34; Ag+ /Ag= + 0.80 V

(i) Fe3+ and I–

(ii) Ag+ and Cu

(iii) Fe3+ and Cu

(iv) Ag and Fe3+

Answer 5: (iv) Ag and Fe3+

Explanation: To make the reaction feasible, E0the cell needs to be positive for the
pair Ag and Fe3+, but it is negative. Hence the reaction is not feasible.

Question 6: The more positive the value of E, the greater the tendency of the species
to get reduced. Using the standard electrode potential of redox couples given below
find out which of the following is the strongest oxidising agent.

E values: Fe3+ / Fe2+ = + 0.77; I2(s)/ I– = +0.54;

Cu2+ /Cu = + 0.34; Ag+ /Ag = + 0.80 V

(i) Fe3+
 (ii) I2(s)

(iii) Cu2+

(iv) Ag+

Answer 6: (iv) Ag+

Explanation: The reduction potential of Ag+ /Ag is the highest.

Question 7: What is an oxidation reaction?

Answer 7: Oxidation reactions are those which involve either the addition of oxygen
or the removal of hydrogen.

Question 8: What is the reduction reaction?

Answer 8: Reduction reactions are those in which oxygen is either removed, or

hydrogen is added.

Question 9: What are the most essential conditions that must be satisfied in a redox
reaction?

Answer 9: It shouldn’t interfere with the theory of electron conservation. The total
amount of electrons lost must balance the number of electrons gained by the oxidising
agent.

Question 10: What happens to the oxidation number of an element in oxidation?

Answer 10: During oxidation, the oxidation number of the element increases. It is
oxidised if the oxidation number increases from 0 to +1.

Question 11: Name the different types of redox reactions.

Answer 11: The different types of redox reactions are:

 Combination reactions
 Decomposition reactions
 Displacement reactions
 Disproportionate reactions

Question 12: All decomposition reactions are not redox reactions. Give justification. .

Answer 12: Calcium carbonate decomposition is not a redox reaction. This is true
because there must be at least one elemental substance present during the
decomposition of calcium carbonate on the product side.

Question 13: Define half-cell.

Answer 13: A half-cell is made up of an electrode structure and conducting
electrolyte that is divided by a Helmholtz double layer.

Question 14: What is the role of a salt bridge in an electrochemical cell?

Answer 14: The role of a salt bridge in an electrochemical cell is that it provides
electrical neutrality and prevents the mixing of the electrolytes.

Question 15: Define a redox couple.

Answer 15: A substance that participates in an oxidation and reduction half-reaction

is said to be in a redox couple when its reduced and oxidised forms are present
together.

Question 16: Explain why

3Fe3O4(s) + 8Al(s) → 9Fe(s) + 4Al2O3(g)

is an oxidation reaction?

Answer 16: It is an oxidation reaction because aluminium is getting oxidised. It forms

Al2O3 in the product indicating that the addition of oxygen has taken place.

Question 17: The reaction

Cl2(g) + 2OH– (aq) → CIO– (aq) + Cl– (aq) + H2O(l)

represents the process of bleaching. Identify and name the species that bleaches the
substances due to their oxidising action.

Answer 17:

Cl2(g)+2OH−(aq)→ClO−(aq)+Cl−(aq)+H2O(l)

Here, Cl2 is converted into ClO- and Cl-, respectively, through oxidation and
reduction. Because Cl- is not an oxidising agent (O.A.). As a result of the
hypochlorite ClO- ion’s oxidising effect, Cl2 bleaches many materials.

Question 18: Fluorine reacts with ice and results in the change:

H2O(s) + F2(g) → HF(g)+ HOF(g)

Justify that this reaction is a redox reaction:

Answer 18:

The oxidation number of each atom involved in the process should be written above
its symbol as follows:
The oxidation number of F goes from 0 in F2 to +1 in HOF, as seen above.
Additionally, the number of oxidations decreases from 0 in F2 to -1 in HF. F is thus
both oxidised and reduced in the given reaction. As a result, the given reaction is a
redox reaction.

Question 19: MnO42- undergoes a disproportionation reaction in an acidic medium

but MnO4– does not. Give a reason.

Answer 19:

A disproportionation reaction is a redox reaction in which one component with an

intermediate oxidation state results in the formation of two molecules with greater and
lower oxidation states.

The oxidation states of manganese in their different compounds range from +2 to +7.
Disproportionation is not possible with MnO4– because of its maximum oxidation
state of +7; however, MnO42- has a +6 oxidation state and can be both oxidised and
reduced.

Question 20: Write the formula for the following compounds:

(a)Mercury(II) chloride

(b)Nickel(II) sulphate

(c)Tin(IV) oxide

(d)Thallium(I) sulphate

(e)Iron(III) sulphate

(f)Chromium(III) oxide

Answer 20:The chemical formula of the given compounds are as follows:

(a)Mercury (II) chloride: HgCl2

(b)Nickel (II) sulphate: NiSO4

(c)Tin (IV) oxide: SnO2

(d)Thallium (I) sulphate: TI2SO4

(e)Iron (III) sulphate: Fe2(SO4)3

(f)Chromium (III) oxide: Cr2O3

Question 21: PbO and PbO₂ react with HCl according to the following chemical
equations:
2PbO + 4HCl → 2PbCl2 + 2H2O

PbO2 + 4HCI → PbCl2 + Cl2 + 2H2O

Why do these compounds differ in their reactivity?

Answer 21: In the first reaction, none of the atoms’ O.N. changes. Hence, it cannot be
categorised as a redox reaction. It is an acid-base interaction because PbO is a basic
oxide that reacts with HCl acid.

In the second reaction, which is a redox reaction, PbO2 is reduced and acts as an
oxidising agent.

Question 22: Nitric acid is an oxidising agent and reacts with PbO, but it does not
react with PbO₂. Explain why.

Answer 22:

PbO, a basic oxide, reacts with HNO3 in a conventional acid-base manner. On the
other hand, lead cannot be further oxidised in PbO2 because it is in the +4 oxidation
state. As a result, no reaction takes place. Consequently, PbO2 is inactive, and only
PbO interacts with HNO3.

2PbO + 4HNO3 → 2Pb(NO3)2 + 2H2O

Question 23: The compound AgF2 is an unstable compound. However, if formed,

the compound acts as a very strong oxidising agent. Why?

Answer 23: Ag in AgF2 has an oxidation state of +2, which is an unstable oxidation
state of Ag. Silver hence readily accepts an electron to generate Ag+ whenever
AgF2 is formed. This brings the oxidation state of Ag from +2 to +1, which is more
stable. Hence, AgF2 acts as a very strong oxidising agent.

Question 24: Calculate the oxidation number of phosphorus in the following species.

(a) HPO32- and

(b) PO43-

Answer 24:

(a). Let the oxidation number of phosphorus in HPO32- be x.

H + P + 3O2-

⇒ +1 + x + (-2)×3 = -2

⇒ +1 + x – 6 = -2

⇒ x – 5 = -2
⇒x=–2+5

⇒ x = +3

Thus, the oxidation number of phosphorus in HPO32- is +3.

(b). Let the oxidation number of phosphorus in PO43-

be x.

PO43-

⇒ x + 4 ×(-2) = -3

⇒ x = -3 + 8 = +5

⇒ x = +5

Thus, the oxidation number of phosphorus in PO43- is +5.

Question 25: What sorts of information can you draw from the following reaction?

(CN)2(g) + 2OH–(aq) → CN–(aq) + CNO–(aq) + H2O(l)

Answer 25:

The carbon in (CN)2, CN− and CNO− have oxidation numbers +3, +2 and +4,
respectively. These are obtained as follows:

Let the oxidation number of C be x.

(CN)2

2(x – 3) = 0

⇒x = 3

CN− x – 3 = –1

⇒x = 2

CNO–x – 3 – 2 = –1

⇒x = 4

The oxidation number of carbon in the various species is:

It is clear from the equation that the same compound is being reduced and oxidised at
the same time. Disproportionation reactions are those in which the same compound is
reduced and oxidised. As a result, it is possible to say that the alkaline decomposition
of cyanogen is an illustration of a disproportionation reaction.

Question 26: Identify the redox reactions out of the following reactions and identify
the oxidising and reducing agents in them.

(i) 3 HCl(aq) + HNO3(aq) → Cl2(g) + NOCl (g) +2H2O(l)

(ii) HgCl2(aq) + 2KI (aq) → HgI2(s) + 2KCl (aq)

(iii) Fe2O3(s) + 3CO(g) 2Fe(s) + 3CO2(g)

(iv) PCl3(I) + 3H2O(l) → 3HCl(aq) + H3PO4 (aq)

(v) 4NH3 + 3O2(g) → 2N2(g) + 6H2O(g)

Answer 26:

(i) Putting the oxidation number of each atom, we get:

3HCl + HNO3 → Cl2 + NOCl + 2H2O

The oxidation number of Cl goes from -1 (in HCl) to 0 (in Cl2). HCl is used as a
reducing agent because of the oxidation of Cl–.

HNO3 functions as an oxidising agent because the oxidation number of N reduces

from +5 (in HNO3) to +3 (in NOCl).

Thus, reaction (i) is a redox reaction.

(ii) HgCl2 + 2Kl → Hgl + 2KCl

There is no change in the oxidation number. Hence this reaction doesn’t qualify as a
redox reaction.

(iii) Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe +3CO2

Fe2O3 works as an oxidising agent because the oxidation number of Fe changes from
+3 (in Fe2O3) to 0 (in Fe).

CO works as a reducing agent as the oxidation number of C increases from +2 (in

CO) to +4 (in CO2). As a result, it is a redox reaction.

(iv) PCl3 + 3H2O → 3HCl + H2PO3

There is no change in the oxidation number of any of the atoms. Hence it is not a
redox reaction.

(v) 4NH3 + 3O2 → 2N2 + 6H2O

Because the oxidation number of N in N2 grows from -3 to 0, NH3 functions as a
reducing agent.

Furthermore, O2 functions as an oxidising agent because the oxidation number of O

drops from 0 in O2 to -2 in H2O.

Hence, this is a redox reaction.

Question 27: Refer to the periodic table given in your book and now answer the
following questions:

(a) Select the possible non-metals that can show a disproportionation reaction.

(b) Select three metals that can show a disproportionation reaction.

Answer 27:

One of the reacting compounds in disproportionation reactions always contains an

element that can exist in at least three oxidation states,

(a) As the non-metals P, Cl, and S can exist in three or more oxidation states, they can
exhibit disproportionation reactions.

(b) Mn, Cu, and Ga can also exhibit such reactions as these metals can exist in three
or more oxidation states.

Question 28: Explain redox reactions on the basis of electron transfer. Give suitable
examples.

Answer 28:

A chemical reaction in which electrons are transferred between two substances is

known as an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction. An oxidation-reduction reaction is
any chemical process in which a molecule, atom, or ion’s oxidation number changes
as a result of gaining or losing an electron.

As we know, the reactions,

2Na(s) + Cl2(g) → 2NaCl(s)

4Na(s) + O2(g) → 2Na2(s)

are redox reactions since they all entail the addition of oxygen or a more
electronegative element to sodium.

While sodium, an electropositive element, has been added, chlorine and oxygen are
simultaneously being depleted. We also realise that sodium chloride and sodium oxide
are ionic compounds, and may be better stated as Na+Cl–(s) and Na2+O2,
respectively, based on our knowledge of chemical bonding (s).
The reactions can be represented as follows:

One phase of each of the processes above involves electron loss, and the other phase
involves electron gain. We can elaborate on one of them, like the production of
sodium chloride.

2Na(s) → 2Na+(g) + 2e−

Cl2 + 2e− → 2Cl−(g)

Since the involvement of electrons is evident, each preceding step is referred to as a

half-reaction. The sum of the half-reactions determines the total reaction:

2Na(s) + Cl2(g) → 2Na + Cl−(s) or 2NaCl(s)

According to the reactions above, oxidation reactions account for 50% of all reactions
involving electron loss. Similar to this, electron gain-related half-reactions are
referred to as reduction reactions.

Redox reactions are the fundamental processes of life, including photosynthesis,

respiration, combustion, and corrosion or rusting.

Question 29: Arrange the given metals in the order in which they displace each other
from the solution of their salts.

(i) Al

(ii) Fe

(iii) Cu

(iv) Zn
(v) Mg

Answer 29:

In a salt solution, a metal with a higher reducing power pushes out metal with lower
reducing power.

The following list of metals is in increasing order of their reducing power:

Cu < Fe < Zn < Al < Mg

Thus, Mg can displace Al from its salt solution, but Al cannot displace Mg. Therefore,
we can conclude that the order in which the given metals displace each other from the
solution of their salts is as given below: Mg >Al>Zn> Fe >Cu

Question 30: Why does fluorine not show a disproportionation reaction?

Answer 30:

A disproportionation reaction is a redox reaction in which one component with an

intermediate oxidation state results in the formation of two molecules with greater and
lower oxidation states.

2F2(g) + 2OH–(aq) → 2F–(aq) + OF2(g) + H2O(I)

Such a redox reaction cannot take place unless the element is in at least three
oxidation states. As a result, during the disproportionation reaction, that element is in
the intermediate state and is capable of switching between higher and lower oxidation
levels.

Of all the halogens, fluorine is the most electronegative and oxidising element. It is
also the smallest.

The disproportionation reaction does not occur, and it only has one positive oxidation
state.

Question 31: Which method can be used to find out the strength of the
reductant/oxidant in a solution? Explain with an example.

Answer 31:

The relative electrode potential can be determined when a reductant (reducing agent)
or oxidant (oxidising agent) is connected in a solution using a cell. The element under
discussion can be used as an electrode in a typical cell with a known electrode
potential. If the electrode of the given species is positive, it acts as a reductant; if it is
negative, it acts as an oxidant.

Let us take the example of Fe3+/Fe with a Standard Hydrogen electrode (SHE). For
Fe and H, the half-cell reaction is as follows:
H+ + e– → H2Eo = 0.0V

Fe3+ + e– → Fe2+Eo = 0.77

Any element that requires evaluation can be employed in SHE as an electrode. The
amount of emf an element produces in a cell is referred to as its potential.

Eocell = Eocathode – Eoanode

Eocell= 0 – Eoanode

Eocell = 0 – 0.77

Eocell= -0.77

The Fe3+ ion is more likely to go through reduction than hydrogen is. The strength of
Fe as a reductant can then be determined by altering the previously believed Fe anode
arrangement. As a result, the strength of the oxidant can be identified.