Consider the following reaction: 2 Fe + 3 Mg²⁺ → 2 Fe³⁺ + 3 Mg
The half-reaction for the oxidation in this reaction is
A)Fe → Fe³⁺ + 3 e⁻
B)Fe³⁺ + 3 e⁻ → Fe
C)Mg → Mg²⁺ + 2 e⁻
D)Mg²⁺ + 2 e⁻ → Mg

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In this reaction, Fe is being oxidized (losing electrons) and Mg is being reduced (gaining electrons). The half-reaction for the oxidation of Fe is Fe → Fe³⁺ + 3 e⁻. This is because Fe is going from a neutral state (with 0 charge) to a +3 state, meaning it is losing 3 electrons.

Consider the Following Reaction: 2 Fe + 3 Mg²⁺ →