When calcium metal (Ca) reacts with oxygen gas (O2), it produces the ionic compound calcium oxide (CaO). Write the balanced equation for this reaction. Then, explain if this process meets the requirements to be considered a redox reaction.

The balanced equation for this ionic compound is 2Ca + O2 -> 2CaO. This reaction is an oxidation-reduction reaction because the electrons are transferred between two species, and Calcium is  oxidized from the oxidation state 0  to 2+ while oxygen is reduced from oxidation state 0 to 2, -meeting the requirement to be a redox reaction.

Explanation:

(i just took the test and this is the answer i came up with, i hope it is helpful)

:D

the atomic number will stay the same no matter how many electrons it has, so it doesn’t decrease nor increase. it’ll only change with a different number of protons