Chemistry Grade 12 Question: I did half but I don't know the oxidizing agent...

Question

Question: Aqueous hydrogen peroxide and aqueous iron (III) nitrate

Hint: This system is not acidified.

Species List: H2O(l), H2O2(l), Fe2+(aq),NO3-(aq)

Oxidizing Agents:

Reducing Agents: H2O(l), H2O2(l) SRA: H2O2(l)

Spontaneous?: YES

Reduction half-reaction: 2NO3-(aq), + 4H+(aq) + 2e- = N2O4(g) + 2H2O(l)

Oxidation half-reaction: H2O2(l) = O2(g) + 2H+(aq) + 2e-

Net Ionic Equation: 2NO3-(aq) + 4H+(aq) + H2O2(l) = N2O4(g) + 2H2O(l) + O2(g) + 2H+(aq)

Answer 1

Hi Grace,

Based on the two half reactions you provided, the oxidizing agent is NO₃^- because the oxidation state of N is decreased from +5 (in NO₃^- , the reactant) to +4 (in N₂O₄, the product). On the other hand, the reducing agent is H₂O₂ because the oxidation state of O is increased from -1 (in H₂O₂ , the reactant) to 0 (in O₂, the product).

Hope this helps.

Best,

Xiaobin