GRE Subject Test: Chemistry : Oxidation-Reduction Analysis

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Oxidation Reduction Analysis

Which molecule would be considered a Lewis acid?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A lewis acid is an electron pair acceptor.  would be considered a lewis acid based on the definition. Because  is electron-deficient based on its oxidation number, it is able to accept an electron pair.

Example Question #2 : Oxidation Reduction Analysis

Which of the following would be considered a Lewis base?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A lewis base is an electron pair donor.  would be considered a lewis base based on the definition. Because  is electron rich based on its oxidation number, it is able to donate an electron pair to an electron deficient ion.

Example Question #3 : Oxidation Reduction Analysis

Which of the following types of reactions best describes the following reaction:

Possible Answers:

Catalytic

Combustion

Double replacement

Redox reaction

Combination

Correct answer:

Redox reaction

Explanation:

A redox reaction is also known as an oxidation/reduction reaction. This type of reaction involves the transfer of electrons from on reactant to another. In this reaction, an electron is transferred from  to  forming the products  and . The substance that gains an electron is referred to as being reduced. The substance that loses an electron is referred to as being oxidized.

Example Question #4 : Oxidation Reduction Analysis

What is the oxidation state of manganese in ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In this compound oxygen has an oxidation number of . There are 4 oxygens, therefore the total oxidation number for the oxygens in  is: . Potassium,, is a group 1 metal and has an oxidation number of . The sum of all oxidation number in a neutral compound such as  is zero. We will give the oxidation number of  equal to :

Simplifying the above equation:

Rearranging to solve for :

Example Question #1 : Oxidation Reduction Analysis

What is the oxidation state of manganese in ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In this compound oxygen has an oxidation number of . There are 4 oxygens, therefore the total oxidation number for the oxygens in  is: . Potassium, , is a group 1 metal and has an oxidation number of . There are 3 potassium ions present in , therefore the total oxidation number for the potassium ions is:

.The sum of all oxidation number in a neutral compound such as  is zero. We will give the oxidation number of  equal to :

Simplifying the above equation:

Rearranging to solve for :

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