In which one of the following sets of substances are all members of the set able to undergo a spontaneous redox reaction with pure water?
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 8 - 2004 - Paper 1
Question 8
In which one of the following sets of substances are all members of the set able to undergo a spontaneous redox reaction with pure water?
A. Fe, Co²⁺, Cl₂
B. F₂, Mg... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In which one of the following sets of substances are all members of the set able to undergo a spontaneous redox reaction with pure water?
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 8 - 2004 - Paper 1
Step 1
A. Fe, Co²⁺, Cl₂
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Answer
In this set, Fe can reduce the Co²⁺ ion to Co, but Cl₂ is not reactive with water to sustain a redox reaction. Thus, not all substances react spontaneously.
Step 2
B. F₂, Mg, Au³⁺
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Answer
Fluorine (F₂) is a strong oxidizing agent and can react with water to produce HF and O₂. Magnesium (Mg) will also react with water, especially at higher temperatures, and Au³⁺ can undergo reduction in this context. Therefore, this set can undergo spontaneous redox reactions.
Step 3
C. H⁺, Na⁺, Br₂
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Answer
H⁺ ions will react with Br₂ in acidic conditions, but Na⁺ does not participate in a redox reaction with water. Hence, not all members react spontaneously.
Step 4
D. Li, F₂, Ag⁺
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Answer
Lithium (Li) can react with water vigorously, F₂ will react to form HF, but Ag⁺ does not participate in a spontaneous redox reaction with water. Therefore, this set does not fulfill the requirement.
