Sample Problem 21.8
Predicting the electrolysis products of a molten salt mixture
SOLUTION:
Possible oxidizing agents: Na+, Mg2+
Possible reducing agents: Br-, Cl-
Na, the element, is to the left of Mg in the periodic table, therefore the IE of Mg is higher than that of Na. So Mg2+ will more easily gain electrons and is the stronger oxidizing agent.
Br, as an element, has a lower IE than does Cl, and therefore will give up electrons as Br- more easily than will Cl-.
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