CuO + H\(_2\) \(\rightarrow\) Cu + H\(_2\)O. In the reaction above CuO is ______
CuO + H\(_2\) \(\rightarrow\) Cu + H\(_2\)O. In the reaction above CuO is ______
- A) oxidized to copper
- B) reduced to copper
- C) chemically converted to copper
- D) reversed to copper
Correct Answer: B) reduced to copper
Explanation
In this chemical reaction, CuO (copper oxide) reacts with H2 (hydrogen gas) to form Cu (copper) and H2O (water). To understand what happens to CuO in this reaction, we can analyze the changes in oxidation states of the elements involved.
CuO has an oxidation state of +2 for copper (Cu) and -2 for oxygen (O). In the product side, copper (Cu) has an oxidation state of 0, and in water (H2O), oxygen has an oxidation state of -2 while hydrogen has an oxidation state of +1.
Comparing the initial and final oxidation states, we can see that the oxidation state of copper changes from +2 to 0. This means that copper has gained electrons, which is the process of reduction. Therefore, in this reaction, CuO isreduced to copper (Option B).
It is important to note that reduction and oxidation always occur together in a redox reaction. In this case, hydrogen (H2) is oxidized to form water (H2O), while copper oxide (CuO) is reduced to form copper (Cu).