Answer to Question #71476 in General Chemistry for Caroline

Question

Tantalum, a metal used in electronic devices such as cellular phones and computers, can be manufactured by the reaction of its oxide with molten sodium metal.
Ta2O5+10Na→2Ta+5Na2O. Which substance is reduced? Express your answer as a chemical formula.

Answer 1

In the reaction Ta2O5 +10Na → 2Ta + 5Na2O the substance that is reduced is tantalum, Ta. The reactant, Ta2O5 contains Ta with oxidation number +5, and the product is Ta, with oxidation number 0. The oxidation number became less positive; thus Ta was reduced.