Question

Calculate the number of electrons transferred in the following reaction: Cu(s) + 2AgNO3(aq) → Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2Ag(s) Hint: In order to balance the equation, you'll need to add electrons to one side of the reaction.

Answer 1

To calculate the number of electrons transferred in the reaction, we first need to determine the oxidation states of the elements involved in the reaction.In the reactants:Cu s  has an oxidation state of 0  since it is in its elemental form .Ag in AgNO3 has an oxidation state of +1  since NO3 has an oxidation state of -1 and there are two of them .In the products:Cu in Cu NO3 2 has an oxidation state of +2  since NO3 has an oxidation state of -1 and there are two of them .Ag s  has an oxidation state of 0  since it is in its elemental form .Now, let's identify the changes in oxidation states:Cu goes from 0 to +2, which means it loses 2 electrons  oxidation .Ag goes from +1 to 0, which means it gains 1 electron  reduction .Since there are 2 Ag atoms involved in the reaction, a total of 2 electrons are gained by the 2 Ag atoms.Therefore, the number of electrons transferred in this reaction is 2.