Questions: Study this chemical reaction:
Pt + O2 -> PtO2
Then, write balanced half-reactions describing the oxidation and reduction that happen in this reaction.
oxidation:
reduction:
Transcript text: Study this chemical reaction:
\[
\mathrm{Pt}+\mathrm{O}_{2} \rightarrow \mathrm{PtO}_{2}
\]
Then, write balanced half-reactions describing the oxidation and reduction that happen in this reaction.
oxidation:
reduction:
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify the Oxidation and Reduction Processes
In a redox reaction, oxidation refers to the loss of electrons, while reduction refers to the gain of electrons. In the given reaction:
Platinum (Pt) is being oxidized as it combines with oxygen to form platinum(IV) oxide (\(\mathrm{PtO}_{2}\)). Oxygen (\(\mathrm{O}_{2}\)) is being reduced as it gains electrons to form oxide ions in \(\mathrm{PtO}_{2}\).
Step 2: Write the Oxidation Half-Reaction
The oxidation half-reaction involves the conversion of platinum (Pt) to platinum(IV) oxide (\(\mathrm{PtO}_{2}\)). In this process, platinum loses electrons. The balanced oxidation half-reaction is:
The reduction half-reaction involves the conversion of molecular oxygen (\(\mathrm{O}_{2}\)) to oxide ions. Oxygen gains electrons in this process. The balanced reduction half-reaction is: