AP Chemistry : Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Chemistry

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Example Questions

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Example Question #1 : Oxidation Reduction Reactions

What is the balanced equation when heptane is combusted?

Possible Answers:

2 C7H14 + 5 O2 → 3 H2O + 6 CO2

C7H16 + O2 → H2O + CO2

C3H8 + 5 O2 → 4 H2O + 3 CO2

C5H12 + 8 O2 → 6 H2O + 5 CO2

C7H16 + 11 O2 → 8 H2O + 7 CO2

Correct answer:

C7H16 + 11 O2 → 8 H2O + 7 CO2

Explanation:

Heptane: C7H16. Combustion is when a molecule reacts with O2 and the products are CO2 and H2O. Balancing gives 7 CO2, 8 H2O, 1 heptane, and 11 O2

Example Question #1 : Reaction Types

Which of the following reactions has the most exothermic heat of reaction?

Possible Answers:
The combustion of propane
The combustion of butane
The combustion of methane
The combustion of isopropane
The combustion of isobutane
Correct answer: The combustion of butane
Explanation:

The longer the hydrocarbon chain, the greater the amount of combustion products (CO2 and H20) generated. Branched molecules such as isopropane and isobutane are more difficult to combust than their straight-chain counterparts.

Example Question #3 : Oxidation Reduction Reactions

Which of the following conditions would describe a combustion reaction?

Possible Answers:

Exothermic with a positive 

Endothermic with a positive 

Endergonic with a negative 

Exothermic with a negative 

Exergonic with a positive 

Correct answer:

Exothermic with a negative 

Explanation:

An exothermic reaction will have a negative  value, indicating that it releases heat. Conversely, an endothermic reaction will have a positive  value, indicating a consumption of heat.

A combustion reaction releases heat; thus it must have a negative  value and be exothermic.

Exergonic reactions have a negative  value, indicating spontaneity, while endergonic reactions are non-spontaneous. While most combustion reactions will be non-spontaneous, it is impossible to draw this conclusion for certain without knowing more about the reaction. The only thing we know for certain is that heat is released, and the reaction is exothermic.

Example Question #51 : Reaction Types

The following ReDox reaction takes place in acidic solution:

Fe2+ + Cr2O72– → Fe3+ + Cr3+

What is the sum of coefficients in this redox reaction?

Possible Answers:

37

33

36

34

35

Correct answer:

36

Explanation:

When you balance the redox reaction in acidic conditons, there are 6Fe2+, 1 Cr2O72–, 14 H+, 6 Fe3+, 2 Cr3+, and 7 H2O. Don't forget to add the 1 in front of the Cr2O72–

Example Question #2 : Balancing Oxidation Reduction Reactions

For the following unbalanced redox reaction, how many electrons are transferred and which chemical species is being oxidized?

Possible Answers:

Two electrons are transferred; Hg is oxidized

One electron is transferred; Hg is oxidized

Two electrons are transferred; P is oxidized

One electron is transferred; P is oxidized

Correct answer:

Two electrons are transferred; Hg is oxidized

Explanation:

To begin, we will need to separate the given reaction into the two half-reactions by identifying changes in oxidation number. In this case, mercury (Hg) and phosphorus (P) show a change in oxidation number. Mercury begins with an oxidation number of zero, and ends with an oxidation number of . Phosphorus begins with an oxidation number of  and ends with an oxidation number of . Note that the oxidation numbers for fluorine and iodine reamain constant at  for each.

Now we can begin to look at the half-reactions.

Balance the atoms.

Now balance the electrons. We know that each mercury atom loses one electron and each fluorine atom gains one electron.

We can see that two electrons are tranferred. To identify the element being oxidized, we must find the element that is losing electrons. In this case, mercury is being oxidized.

Example Question #1 : Oxidation Reduction Reactions

How many electrons are involved in the following reaction?

Possible Answers:

1 e- 

5 e-

3 e-

4 e-

2 e-

Correct answer:

5 e-

Explanation:

02

The common factor between 1 e- and 5 e- is 5.  Therefore the number of electrons involved is 5 e-.

Example Question #4 : Balancing Oxidation Reduction Reactions

How many electrons are involved in the following reaction?

Possible Answers:

5 e-

1 e-

2 e-

4 e-

10 e- 

Correct answer:

10 e- 

Explanation:

01

The common factor between 2 e- and 5 e- is 10.  Therefore the number of electrons involved is 10 e-.

Example Question #5 : Balancing Oxidation Reduction Reactions

What is the balanced coefficient on OH- for the following reaction:

                (under basic conditions)

Possible Answers:

5

4

2

1

3

Correct answer:

2

Explanation:

03

 

Add them together:

 

Simplify: 

 

Add Hydroxides to each side to counter H+.

 

Simplify:

Example Question #6 : Balancing Oxidation Reduction Reactions

What is the sum of all the balanced coefficients in the following reaction:

                    (basic conditions)

Possible Answers:

16

8

12

10

14

Correct answer:

14

Explanation:

04

Add the equations together

 

Simplify

 

Add 2 OH- to each side to cancel out the H+.

 

Simplify:

Example Question #4 : Oxidation Reduction Reactions

For the redox reaction shown, which of the following half reactions occurs in the anode?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Recall that oxidation always occurs at the anode (in both the electrochemical and galvanic cells).  loses two electrons in this case to become . The presence of  is hinted by the ionic compound .

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