REDOX – Review Questions 1

Standard Level Chemistry DP

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. Which definition of oxidation is correct?

A. Loss of electrons and a decrease in oxidation number

B. Loss of electrons and an increase in oxidation number

C. Gain of electrons and a decrease in oxidation number

D. Gain of electrons and an increase in oxidation number

2. In which species does sulfur have an oxidation number of 0?

A. SO3 B. S8

C. Na2SO4 D. H2S

3. Consider the following reaction.

– + 2+ 2+ 3+
MnO4 (aq) + 8H (aq) + 5Fe (aq) → Mn (aq) + 5Fe (aq) + 4H2O(l)

Which statement is correct?

–
A. MnO4 is the oxidizing agent and it loses electrons.

–
B. MnO4 is the reducing agent and it loses electrons.

–
C. MnO4 is the oxidizing agent and it gains electrons.

–
D. MnO4 is the reducing agent and it gains electrons.

4. Which species is oxidized in the following reaction?

+ 2+
2Ag (aq) + Cu(s) → 2Ag(s) + Cu (aq)

+
A. Ag B. Cu

2+
C. Ag D. Cu

5. Which compound contains nitrogen with an oxidation number of +3?

A. NH4Cl B. HNO3

C. N2O4 D. KNO2

1|Page
 REDOX – Review Questions 2
Standard Level Chemistry DP

6. What is the reducing agent in this reaction?


Cu(s) + 2 NO 3 (aq) + 4H (aq) → Cu (aq) + 2NO2(g) + 2H2O(l)
+ 2+

A. Cu(s) B. NO 3 (aq)

2+ +
C. Cu (aq) D. H (aq)

7. Consider the following reaction:

4+ 2+ – +
H2SO3(aq) + Sn (aq) + H2O(l) → Sn (aq) + HSO4 (aq) + 3H (aq)

Which statement is correct?

A. H2SO3 is the reducing agent because it undergoes reduction.

B. H2SO3 is the reducing agent because it undergoes oxidation.

4+
C. Sn is the oxidizing agent because it undergoes oxidation.

4+
D. Sn is the reducing agent because it undergoes oxidation.

8. Which species could be reduced to form NO2?

–
A. N2O B. NO3

C. HNO2 D. NO

–
9. What happens to iodine when iodate ions, IO3 , are converted to iodine molecules, I2?

A. It undergoes reduction and its oxidation number changes from –1 to 0

B. It undergoes oxidation and its oxidation number changes from –1 to 0

C. It undergoes reduction and its oxidation number changes from +5 to 0

D. It undergoes oxidation and its oxidation number changes from +5 to 0

2|Page
 REDOX – Review Questions 3
Standard Level Chemistry DP

10. Consider the overall reaction taking place in a voltaic cell.

Ag2O(s) + Zn(s) + H2O(l) → 2Ag(s) + Zn(OH)2(s)

What is the role of zinc in the cell?

A. The positive electrode and the oxidizing agent.

B. The positive electrode and the reducing agent.

C. The negative electrode and the oxidizing agent.

D. The negative electrode and the reducing agent.

11. Consider the following reactions of three unknown metals X, Y and Z.

2XNO3(aq) + Y(s) → 2X(s) + Y(NO3)2(aq)

Y(NO3)2(aq) + Z(s) → No reaction
2XNO3(aq) + Z(s) → 2X(s) + Z(NO3)2(aq)

What is the order of increasing reactivity of the metals (least reactive first)?

A. X<Y<Z B. X<Z<Y

C. Z<Y<X D. Y<Z<X

12. Which statement about the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride is correct?

A. A yellow-green gas would be produced at the negative electrode.

B. A silvery metal is produced at the positive electrode.

C. Chloride ions are attracted to the positive electrode and undergo oxidation.

D. Sodium ions are attracted to the negative electrode and undergo oxidation.

13. What is the IUPAC name of Fe2O3?

A. Iron oxide B. Iron(II) oxide

C. Iron(III) oxide D. Di-iron trioxide

3|Page
 REDOX – Review Questions 4
Standard Level Chemistry DP

14. Which labels of the electrolytic cell are correct?

1 2 3 4
A. site of reduction site of oxidation conductor electrolyte
B. site of oxidation site of reduction electrolyte conductor
C. site of reduction site of oxidation electrolyte conductor
D. site of oxidation site of reduction conductor electrolyte

15. Which changes could take place at the positive electrode (cathode) in a voltaic cell?
2+
I. Zn (aq) to Zn(s)
–
II. Cl2(g) to Cl (aq)

2+
III. Mg(s) to Mg (aq)

A. I and II only B. I and III only

C. II and III only D. I, II and III

4|Page
 REDOX – Review Questions 5
Standard Level Chemistry DP

16. Metal A is more reactive than metal B. A standard voltaic cell is made as shown.

Which statement is correct?

A. Electrons flow in the external circuit from A to B.

B. Positive ions flow through the salt bridge from A to B.

C. Positive ions flow in the external circuit from B to A.

D. Electrons flow through the salt bridge from B to A.

17. Which statement is correct for the electrolysis of molten lead iodide, PbI 2?

A. Chemical energy is converted into electrical energy.

2+
B. Pb ions are oxidized at the negative electrode (cathode).

C. I2 is produced at the positive electrode (anode).

D. Ions are produced at both electrodes.

18. What happens at the negative electrode in a voltaic cell and in an electrolytic cell?

Voltaic cell Electrolytic cell

A. oxidation reduction
B. reduction oxidation
C. oxidation oxidation

5|Page
 REDOX – Review Questions 6
Standard Level Chemistry DP

D. reduction reduction

19. Consider how current is conducted in an electrolytic cell. Which statement is correct?

A. Electrons move through the electrolyte and the external circuit.

B. Ions move through the electrolyte and the external circuit.

C. Electrons move through the external circuit and ions move through the electrolyte.

D. Electrons move through the electrolyte and ions move through the external circuit.

20. Which list represents the halogens in increasing order of oxidizing strength (weakest oxidizing agent
first)?

A. Cl2 I2 Br2 B. I2 Br2 Cl2

C. I2 Cl2 Br2 D. Cl2 Br2 I2

21. Which are redox reactions?

I. 2FeCl2 + Cl2 → 2FeCl3

II. Mg + 2HNO3 → Mg(NO3)2 + H2

III. H2O + SO3 → H2SO4

A. I and II only B. I and III only

C. II and III only D. I, II and III

22. Magnesium is higher in the reactivity series than zinc. In the cell shown, in which direction do the
electrons flow in wire X and which metal is oxidized?

6|Page
 REDOX – Review Questions 7
Standard Level Chemistry DP

Electron flow Oxidized

A. Zn to Mg Zn
B. Mg to Zn Zn
C. Zn to Mg Mg
D. Mg to Zn Mg

23. In the electrolytic cell shown, at which electrode will chlorine form, and what is the process taking
place there?

Electrode Process
A. P reduction
B. Q reduction
C. P oxidation
D. Q oxidation

24. A particular voltaic cell is made from magnesium and iron half-cells. The overall equation for the
reaction occurring in the cell is
2+ 2+
Mg(s) + Fe (aq) → Mg (aq) + Fe(s)

Which statement is correct when the cell produces electricity?

A. Magnesium atoms lose electrons.

B. The mass of the iron electrode decreases.

C. Electrons flow from the iron half-cell to the magnesium half-cell.

7|Page
 REDOX – Review Questions 8
Standard Level Chemistry DP

D. Negative ions flow through the salt bridge from the magnesium half-cell to the iron half-cell.

25. Which processes occur during the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride?

I. Sodium and chloride ions move through the electrolyte.

II. Electrons move through the external circuit.
III. Oxidation takes place at the anode.

A. I and II only B. I and III only

C. II and III only D. I, II and III

ESSAY QUESTIONS

26. (a) Define oxidation in terms of electron transfer.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b) Chlorine can be made by reacting concentrated hydrochloric acid with potassium
manganate(VII), KMnO4.

2KMnO4(aq) + 16HCl(aq) → 2MnCl2(aq) + 2KCl(aq) + 5Cl2(aq) + 8H2O(aq)

(i) State the oxidation number of manganese in KMnO4 and in MnCl2.

KMnO4 ..............................................................................................................

MnCl2 ................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Deduce which species has been oxidized in this reaction and state the change in
oxidation number that it has undergone.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

ANSWER
(a) Loss of (one or more) electrons; 1
(b) (i) (KMnO4) + 7;
( MnCl2) + 2;
Must have + sign for mark.

8|Page
 REDOX – Review Questions 9
Standard Level Chemistry DP

[1 max] if roman numerals or 7+ or 2+ used or if + signs

are missing. 2
–
(ii) Cl / chloride / chlorine / Cl (has been oxidized) / HCl;
oxidation number from –1 to 0 / has increased by one;
If HCl is given for first mark, it must be clear that it is the Cl that
has the change of oxidation number. 2

27. The conditions used in an electrolytic cell can determine the products formed.

Draw an electrolytic cell illustrating the electrolysis of molten nickel(II) bromide, NiBr 2. Include in
the diagram the direction of the electron flow, the polarity of electrodes and state the half-equations
for the product formed at each electrode.

ANSWER:

labelled polarities of positive and negative electrodes;

Electrodes can be labelled positive or negative or + and – signs can be used.
direction of electron flow;
–
e does not have to be labelled but arrow essential.
2+ –
power source and molten electrolyte/Ni (l) and Br (l)/NiBr2(l);
State symbol necessary for M3 unless molten electrolyte stated.
Power source does not need to be labelled if correct symbol used
(i.e. short line and long line).
Cathode/negative electrode equation:
2+ –
Ni + 2e → Ni;
Anode/positive electrode equation:
– –
2Br → Br2 + 2e ; 5
–
Accept balanced half-equation with one e .
Award [1 max] for M4 and M5 if electrodes are not identified or if
equations are given wrong way round or incorrectly labelled.
Penalize once only.

9|Page
 REDOX – Review Questions 10
Standard Level Chemistry DP

–
Allow e instead of e .
Ignore state symbols for M4 and M5.
[5]

28. An acidified solution of potassium dichromate is often used as an oxidizing agent in organic
chemistry. During the oxidation reaction of ethanol to ethanal the dichromate ion is reduced to
chromium(III) ions according to the following unbalanced half-equation.

2– + – 3+
Cr2O7 (aq) + H (aq) + e → Cr (aq) + H2O(l)

(i) Describe the colour change that will be observed in the reaction.

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

2–
(ii) Deduce the oxidation number of chromium in Cr2O7 .

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(iii) State the balanced half-equation for the reduction of dichromate ions to chromium(III) ions.

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(iv) Deduce the half-equation for the oxidation of ethanol to ethanal and hence the overall redox
equation for the oxidation of ethanol to ethanal by acidified dichromate ions.
(3)

(v) Explain why it is necessary to carry out the reaction under acidic conditions.

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(vi) Identify the organic product formed if excess potassium dichromate is used and the reaction is
carried out under reflux.
(1)
(Total 8 marks)

ANSWER
(i) (the solution changes) from orange to green; 1
(ii) +6; 1
Do not accept 6, 6+ or the use of Roman numerals.
2– + – 3+
(iii) Cr2O7 + 14H + 6e → 2Cr + 7H2O; 1
+ –
(iv) CH3CH2OH → CH3CHO + 2H + 2e ;
2– + 3+
Cr2O7 + 3CH3CH2OH + 8H → 2Cr + 3CH3CHO + 7H2O 3

10 | P a g e
 REDOX – Review Questions 11
Standard Level Chemistry DP

For second equation award [1] for correct reactants and

products and [1] for correct balancing.
+
(v) H is a reactant / OWTTE; 1
(vi) ethanoic acid / CH3COOH / acid; 1
Accept acetic acid.

29. Outline two differences between an electrolytic cell and a voltaic cell.

................................................................................................................................................
(Total 2 marks)
Answer
electrolytic cell converts electrical energy to chemical energy and
voltaic cell converts chemical energy to electrical energy / electrolytic
cell uses electricity to carry out a (redox) chemical reaction and
voltaic cell uses a (redox) chemical reaction to produce
electricity / electrolytic cell requires a power supply and voltaic
cell does not;
electrolytic cell involves a non-spontaneous (redox) reaction and
voltaic cell involves a spontaneous (redox) reaction;
in an electrolytic cell, cathode is negative and anode is positive and
vice-versa for a voltaic cell / electrolytic cell, anode is positive and
voltaic cell, anode is negative / electrolytic cell, cathode is negative
and voltaic cell, cathode is positive;
voltaic cell has two separate solutions and electrolytic cell has one
solution / voltaic cell has salt bridge and electrolytic cell has no salt bridge;
electrolytic cell, oxidation occurs at the positive electrode/anode and
voltaic cell, oxidation occurs at the negative electrode/anode/vice-versa;
If descriptions are reversed for electrolytic and voltaic cell, penalize
first marking point but award second marking point as ECF. 2 max
[2]

30. Nitric acid reacts with silver in a redox reaction.

– +
__ Ag(s) + __ NO3 (aq) + ____ → __ Ag (aq) + __ NO(g) + ____

Using oxidation numbers, deduce the complete balanced equation for the reaction showing all the
reactants and products.
(Total 3 marks)

ANSWER
change in oxidation numbers: Ag from 0 to +1 and N from +5 to +2;
Do not penalize missing charges on numbers.
– + +
balanced equation: 3Ag + NO3 + 4H → 3Ag + NO + 2H2O

11 | P a g e
 REDOX – Review Questions 12
Standard Level Chemistry DP

Award [1] for correct reactants and product;

Award [3] for correct balanced equation.
Ignore state symbols. 3
[3]

12 | P a g e