Identify the oxidizing agent and the reducing agent for 4li(s) + o_2 (g) to 2li_2o(s).

Li is the reducing agentg and O is the oxidizing agent.

Explanation:

1) The oxidizing agent is the one that is reduced and the reducing agent is the one that is oxidized.

2) The given reaction is:

4Li(s) + O₂ (g) → 2 Li₂O(s)

3) Determine the oxidation states of each atom:

Li(s): oxidation state = 0 (since it is alone)

O₂ (g): oxidation state = 0 (since it is alone)

Li in Li₂O (s) +1

O in Li₂O -2

That because 2× (+1) - 2 = 0.

4) Determine the changes:

Li went from 0 to + 1, therefore it got oxidized and it is the reducing agent.

O went from 0 to - 2, therefore it got reduced and it is the oxidizing agent.

The Li element is the reducing agent and the O element is the oxidizing agent

The oxidation-reduction reaction or abbreviated as Redox is a chemical reaction in which there is a change in oxidation number

3 basic theories explain this Redox concept:

The oxidation reaction is the binding of a substance with oxygen. (O₂)

For example:

2SO₂ + O₂ ----> 2SO₃

The reduction reaction is the release of oxygen from a substance.

For example:

2CuO → 2Cu + O₂

Oxidation is an electron release event

Example:

2F ---> 2Fe³⁺ + 6e⁻

The reduction is an electron capture event

Example:

3O₂ + 6e⁻ ---> 3O²⁻

Oxidation is an increase/increase in oxidation number, while reduction is a decrease in oxidation number.

In the redox reaction, it is also known

Reducing agents are substances that experience oxidation

The oxidizing agent is a substance that is reduced

The formula for determining Oxidation Numbers in general:

Group IA (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and Fr): +1

Group IIA (Be, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba): +2

 H in compound = +1, except metal hydride compounds (Hydrogen which binds to IA or IIA groups) oxidation number H= -1, for example, LiH, MgH₂, etc.

Total oxidation number in ion = ion charge, Example NO₃⁻ = -1

Redox reactions are reactions that are accompanied by changes in oxidation numbers, so what must be examined is whether there are elements that experience changes in oxidation numbers in the reaction

Let's look at the reaction

4Li (s) + O₂ (g) → 2 Li₂O (s)

Let see the change in the oxidation number of each element

Li on the left = 0 (single element)

O₂ on the left = 0 (single element)

For Li₂O = 0 then (oxidation number O = -2, see rule no 2 above), so

2. Li + O = 0

2. Li-2 = 0

2Li = 2

Li = + 1

Means that the element Li has increased oxidation number from 0 to +1 so that it experiences an oxidation reaction and acts as a reducing agent

While O2 has decreased the oxidation number from 0 to -2, so it has a reduction reaction and acts as an oxidizer

an oxidation-reduction reaction

link

a reducing agent

link

element is reduced

link

Keywords: oxidation-reduction, an oxidizing agent, a reducing agent