Asked by jessica marzuki on May 07, 2024
Verified
How does the oxidation number of Ca change in the reaction: 2 Ca + O2 → 2 CaO?
A) It goes from 0 to +2.
B) It goes from 0 to -2.
C) It remains 0 in the reactants and products.
D) There is not enough information to tell.
Oxidation Number
A number that represents the total number of electrons an atom either gains or loses in order to form a chemical bond with another atom.
Ca
Chemical symbol for Calcium, a reactive, soft metallic element that is a member of the alkaline earth metals.
- Identify changes in oxidation states in chemical reactions.
Verified Answer
RG
Robert GarciaMay 08, 2024
Final Answer :
A
Explanation :
In the given reaction, calcium (Ca) starts as a pure element, so its initial oxidation state is 0. When it reacts to form calcium oxide (CaO), it becomes part of an ionic compound where calcium typically has a +2 oxidation state, reflecting its loss of two electrons to oxygen, which typically has a -2 oxidation state in compounds.
Learning Objectives
- Identify changes in oxidation states in chemical reactions.