Need help with Chad's Day 7.1 GC quiz Q

[loveee2smile]

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For Chad's GC quiz 7.1, I can't seem to grasp why I keep getting it mixed up for questions asking about oxidizing agents and reducing agents.
So for example one of the simpler quiz q's is the following:

What is the reductant in the following reaction?
2Ag+(aq) + Cu(s) → 2Ag(s) + Cu2+(aq)

So Chad's solution says, Cu is oxidized and is therefore the reductant.

However, from what I understood from the lecture, I think Cu is reduced (gains electrons, it is NOT oxidized) and therefore is the oxidant, and Ag+ is oxidized therefore it's the reductant. What am I misunderstanding here??

I'd really appreciate your time and clarification on this! Thanks a bunch.

 

[starnova]

think about it Cu (s) has 0 charge and Cu2+ (aq) has 2+ charge
in order for you to go from 0 to 2+, you must lose 2 electrons (to make it more positive) - I think this part is what confuses you.
losing electrons = oxidized
same goes with 1+ to 0 for Ag; it has to gain electrons to become more negative

 

[emitpeels]

For Chad's GC quiz 7.1, I can't seem to grasp why I keep getting it mixed up for questions asking about oxidizing agents and reducing agents.
So for example one of the simpler quiz q's is the following:

What is the reductant in the following reaction?
2Ag+(aq) + Cu(s) → 2Ag(s) + Cu2+(aq)

So Chad's solution says, Cu is oxidized and is therefore the reductant.

However, from what I understood from the lecture, I think Cu is reduced (gains electrons, it is NOT oxidized) and therefore is the oxidant, and Ag+ is oxidized therefore it's the reductant. What am I misunderstanding here??

I'd really appreciate your time and clarification on this! Thanks a bunch.

Reductant = Reducing Agent, Oxidant = Oxidizing Agent

Reducing agents get oxidized, oxidizing agents get reduced.
Hope this helps!

 

[loveee2smile]

think about it Cu (s) has 0 charge and Cu2+ (aq) has 2+ charge
in order for you to go from 0 to 2+, you must lose 2 electrons (to make it more positive) - I think this part is what confuses you.
losing electrons = oxidized
same goes with 1+ to 0 for Ag; it has to gain electrons to become more negative

Thank you so much!!! That's exactly what was confusing me 😉 Appreciate it!!!