Answer to Question #130510 in General Chemistry for linda

Question

explain in terms of electron transfer which substances are oxidised and which of them are reduced along with their reason: CuO+Mg=Cu+MgO

Answer 1

Oxidation is the loss of electrons while reduction is the gain of electrons. Cu in CuO gains electrons to change from Cu2+ to Cu. Therefore Cu in CuO is reduced to Cu. Equally, Mg loses electrons to change to Mg2+ in MgO. Therefore, in this case, Mg is oxidized to Mg2+ in the compound MgO.