Question

In the following reaction, which element is undergoing oxidation: Na2SO3 + N2O --> N2 + Na2SO4 (spell out the name)

In the following reaction, which element is undergoing oxidation: Na + AgCl --> Ag + NaCl

Answer 1

Oxidation is loss of electrons while reduction is gain of electrons.

Na₂SO₃ + N₂O​  ​​​​​​ N₂ + Na₂SO₄

Here sulfur of Na₂SO₃ is present in +4 oxidation state while sulfur of Na₂SO₄ is present in +6 oxidation state so there is loss of electrons and hence Na₂SO₃ ( sodium sulfite) is getting oxidised to Na₂SO₄ (sodium sulfate). While nitrogen of N₂O has +1 oxidation state and in N₂ it is present in zero oxidation state so there is gain of electrons i.e reduction.

Na + AgCl Ag + NaCl

Here Na is present in zero oxidation state while in NaCl, oxidation state of Na is +1 i.e loss of electrons . So in this reaction oxidation of Na ( sodium) takes place. While AgCl is present in +1 oxidation state and Ag in zero oxidation state so reduction of Ag (silver) takes place.