This is a redox question. In the reactants, Cl2 is an atom and has a charge of 0(atoms are neutral). In the products, Cl in NaCl has a charge of -1 (Na has a charge of +1, and the molecule has a neutral charge, so Cl must have a -1 to balance out the negative charge). In NaClO3, Cl has a charge of +5 (O has a charge of -2 which is multiplied 3 times because there are 3 O atoms and Na has a charge of +1. This equals -5, so Cl must have a charge of +5 to neutralize the molecule)
Since Cl goes from 0 to both +5 and -1, it undergoes reduction and oxidation.
3 years ago
Answered By Haifa A
This is a redox question. In the reactants, Cl2 is an atom and has a charge of 0(atoms are neutral). In the products, Cl in NaCl has a charge of -1 (Na has a charge of +1, and the molecule has a neutral charge, so Cl must have a -1 to balance out the negative charge). In NaClO3, Cl has a charge of +5 (O has a charge of -2 which is multiplied 3 times because there are 3 O atoms and Na has a charge of +1. This equals -5, so Cl must have a charge of +5 to neutralize the molecule)
Since Cl goes from 0 to both +5 and -1, it undergoes reduction and oxidation.