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Calcium reacts with nitric acid according to the reaction: Ca( s )+2HNO3( a q )C

ID: 933178 • Letter: C

Question

Calcium reacts with nitric acid according to the reaction:

Ca(s)+2HNO3(aq)Ca(NO3)2(aq)+H2(g)

Identify the oxidizing agent

Identify the oxidizing agent.

Identify the oxidizing agent.

D.) Ca(s)

I thought that the answer was H2 but it said that H2 is not the correct answer. I know that the oxidizing agent is the one that is reduced, I choose D because H goes from a +1 charge to a 0 charge in H2 gas.

A.) Ca(NO3)2 B.) HNO3(aq) C.) H2(g)

D.) Ca(s)

I thought that the answer was H2 but it said that H2 is not the correct answer. I know that the oxidizing agent is the one that is reduced, I choose D because H goes from a +1 charge to a 0 charge in H2 gas.

Explanation / Answer

The correct answer is B, the one that is being reduced is the H+ ion, which will act as the oxidizing agent of calcium.