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Chemistry - Study of the First Element - Hydrogen (Preparation, Properties, Oxidation/Reduction)

Grade 9ICSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

Hydrogen (H2H_2) is the first element in the periodic table, possessing a unique position because it shows properties of both alkali metals (Group 1) and halogens (Group 17).

In the laboratory, Hydrogen is prepared by the action of dilute acids on reactive metals like zinc: Zn+2HClZnCl2+H2Zn + 2HCl \rightarrow ZnCl_2 + H_2 \uparrow. Granulated zinc is preferred because it contains impurities like copper which act as a catalyst.

Industrial preparation includes the Bosch Process, where water gas ((CO+H2)(CO + H_2)) is reacted with steam in the presence of Fe2O3Fe_2O_3 and Cr2O3Cr_2O_3 at 450C450^{\circ}C.

Hydrogen is a powerful reducing agent. It removes oxygen from metallic oxides like CuOCuO or PbOPbO to yield the respective metals.

Oxidation is defined as the addition of oxygen, removal of hydrogen, or the loss of electrons (De-electronation).

Reduction is defined as the addition of hydrogen, removal of oxygen, or the gain of electrons (Electronation).

A Redox reaction is a simultaneous process where one reactant is oxidized and the other is reduced. For example, in the reaction between H2H_2 and CuOCuO, H2H_2 is the reducing agent and CuOCuO is the oxidizing agent.

📐Formulae

Zn+H2SO4(dil.)ZnSO4+H2Zn + H_2SO_4 (dil.) \rightarrow ZnSO_4 + H_2 \uparrow

C+H2O1000C(CO+H2) [Water Gas]C + H_2O \xrightarrow{1000^{\circ}C} (CO + H_2) \text{ [Water Gas]}

(CO+H2)+H2OFe2O3,450CCO2+2H2+Δ(CO + H_2) + H_2O \xrightarrow{Fe_2O_3, 450^{\circ}C} CO_2 + 2H_2 + \Delta

CuO+H2Cu+H2OCuO + H_2 \rightarrow Cu + H_2O

2H2+O22H2O2H_2 + O_2 \rightarrow 2H_2O

FeFe2++2e (Oxidation)Fe \rightarrow Fe^{2+} + 2e^- \text{ (Oxidation)}

Cu2++2eCu (Reduction)Cu^{2+} + 2e^- \rightarrow Cu \text{ (Reduction)}

💡Examples

Problem 1:

Identify the oxidizing agent and the reducing agent in the following reaction: PbO+H2Pb+H2OPbO + H_2 \rightarrow Pb + H_2O

Solution:

Oxidizing Agent: PbOPbO; Reducing Agent: H2H_2.

Explanation:

In this reaction, PbOPbO loses oxygen to become PbPb, so it undergoes reduction and acts as the oxidizing agent. H2H_2 gains oxygen to become H2OH_2O, so it undergoes oxidation and acts as the reducing agent.

Problem 2:

Explain the electronic concept of oxidation using the reaction: Mg+Cl2MgCl2Mg + Cl_2 \rightarrow MgCl_2

Solution:

Oxidation: MgMg2++2eMg \rightarrow Mg^{2+} + 2e^-; Reduction: Cl2+2e2ClCl_2 + 2e^- \rightarrow 2Cl^-.

Explanation:

According to the electronic concept, oxidation is the loss of electrons. Here, the Magnesium atom loses two electrons to form a Magnesium ion (Mg2+Mg^{2+}), thus it is oxidized. Chlorine gains those electrons, thus it is reduced.

Problem 3:

Why is concentrated sulphuric acid (H2SO4H_2SO_4) not used in the laboratory preparation of Hydrogen from Zinc?

Solution:

Concentrated H2SO4H_2SO_4 is a strong oxidizing agent.

Explanation:

If concentrated H2SO4H_2SO_4 is used, it reacts with the produced Hydrogen or the metal to produce Sulphur dioxide (SO2SO_2) gas instead of Hydrogen gas: Zn+2H2SO4(conc.)ZnSO4+SO2+2H2OZn + 2H_2SO_4 (conc.) \rightarrow ZnSO_4 + SO_2 + 2H_2O.

Study of the First Element - Hydrogen (Preparation, Properties, Oxidation/Reduction) Revision…