Questions: Which element is reduced in the reaction represented by the equation: 2 Mg + O2 -> 2 MgO if Mg goes from 0 to +2 and O goes from 0 to -2?

Transcript text: Which element is reduced in the reaction represented by the equation: $2 \mathrm{Mg}+\mathrm{O}_{2} \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{MgO}$ if Mg goes from 0 to +2 and O goes from 0 to $-2$?

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Identify Oxidation States

First, we need to identify the oxidation states of magnesium (Mg) and oxygen (O) in the reactants and products.

In the reactants:
- Mg is in the elemental form, so its oxidation state is 0.
- O is in the elemental form ($\mathrm{O}_2$), so its oxidation state is 0.
In the products:
- Mg in $\mathrm{MgO}$ has an oxidation state of +2.
- O in $\mathrm{MgO}$ has an oxidation state of -2.

Step 2: Determine Changes in Oxidation States

Next, we determine the changes in oxidation states for each element.