Question

for the following reaction identify the oxidizing agent, the reducing agent, the substance being oxidized, and the substance being reduced. drag and drop your selection from the following list to complete the answer. ch4 (g) + 2o2 (g) → co2 (g) + 2h2o (g) oxidizing agent reducing agent substance being oxidized substance being reduced o2 h2o ch4 co2

Explanation:

Step1: Determine the oxidizing agent

An oxidizing agent is a substance that gains electrons and is reduced. In the reaction \(CH_{4}(g)+2O_{2}(g)\to CO_{2}(g)+2H_{2}O(g)\), oxygen (\(O_{2}\)) starts with an oxidation state of \(0\) (in \(O_{2}\)) and ends up with an oxidation state of \(- 2\) (in \(H_{2}O\) and \(CO_{2}\)). So, \(O_{2}\) is reduced and is the oxidizing agent.

Step2: Determine the reducing agent

A reducing agent is a substance that loses electrons and is oxidized. Methane (\(CH_{4}\)) has carbon with an oxidation state of \(-4\) (in \(CH_{4}\)) and it ends up as \(+4\) (in \(CO_{2}\)). So, \(CH_{4}\) is oxidized and is the reducing agent.

Step3: Determine the substance being oxidized and reduced

The substance being oxidized is \(CH_{4}\) (as its carbon atom loses electrons and its oxidation state increases). The substance being reduced is \(O_{2}\) (as its oxygen atoms gain electrons and their oxidation state decreases).

Answer:

Oxidizing agent: \(O_{2}\)
Reducing agent: \(CH_{4}\)
Substance being oxidized: \(CH_{4}\)
Substance being reduced: \(O_{2}\)