Photo AI
The diagram shows what happens when a small amount of potassium bromide solution, KBr, is added to a solution of chlorine, Cl₂ - OCR Gateway - GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science - Question 18 - 2020 - Paper 10
Question 18
The diagram shows what happens when a small amount of potassium bromide solution, KBr, is added to a solution of chlorine, Cl₂. (a) Write the balanced symbol equati... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The diagram shows what happens when a small amount of potassium bromide solution, KBr, is added to a solution of chlorine, Cl₂ - OCR Gateway - GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science - Question 18 - 2020 - Paper 10
Step 1
Write the balanced symbol equation for the reaction between potassium bromide, KBr, and chlorine, Cl₂.
Answer
The balanced symbol equation for the reaction between potassium bromide and chlorine is:
ightarrow 2 ext{KCl} + ext{Br}_2$$ This equation indicates that two moles of potassium bromide react with one mole of chlorine gas to produce two moles of potassium chloride and one mole of bromine.Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
In this reaction is chlorine oxidised or reduced? Explain your answer.
Answer
In this reaction, chlorine is reduced. This can be discerned from the half equation where chlorine gains electrons (e⁻) to form chloride ions (Cl⁻). The gain of electrons signifies that chlorine undergoes reduction.
Step 5
Explain why chlorine is more reactive than bromine.
Answer
Chlorine is more reactive than bromine due to its higher electronegativity and the smaller atomic radius. Chlorine has a stronger tendency to gain electrons, making it more effective as an oxidizing agent. Additionally, in general, the reactivity of halogens decreases down the group in the periodic table, which is why chlorine is more reactive than bromine.