A chemist investigates the following half–reaction that occurs under acidic conditions
CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · A Level · Chemistry · Oxidation, reduction and redox reactions · Oxidation, reduction and redox reactions
Problem
A chemist investigates the following half–reaction that occurs under acidic conditions.
NO3−(aq)+2H+(aq)+e−→NO2(g)+H2O(l)
Carefully study the half-reaction and respond to the prompts.
(1) Classify the half-reaction as an oxidation process or a reduction process.
(2) Justify your classification by referring explicitly to electron transfer and to changes in oxidation number for nitrogen.
(3) Based solely on the half-reaction above, indicate whether NO3− or NO2 would act as the oxidizing agent in an overall redox reaction, and explain your reasoning.