Which element is more easily oxidized, Ti or Zn?

Name: Chemistry
Author: McMurry
ISBN: 9781292336145

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the concept of oxidation. Oxidation refers to the loss of electrons by an atom, ion, or molecule. In the context of metals, the more easily a metal loses electrons, the more easily it is oxidized.

Step 2: Refer to the standard reduction potential table. This table lists elements and their tendency to gain electrons (reduction). The more negative the reduction potential, the more easily the element is oxidized.

Step 3: Locate the standard reduction potentials for Ti and Zn. For titanium (Ti), the reduction potential for the reaction \( \text{Ti}^{2+} + 2e^- \rightarrow \text{Ti} \) is around -1.63 V. For zinc (Zn), the reduction potential for the reaction \( \text{Zn}^{2+} + 2e^- \rightarrow \text{Zn} \) is -0.76 V.

Step 4: Compare the reduction potentials. Since Ti has a more negative reduction potential than Zn, it means Ti is more likely to lose electrons compared to Zn.

Step 5: Conclude that Ti is more easily oxidized than Zn because it has a more negative standard reduction potential, indicating a greater tendency to lose electrons.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Oxidation and Reduction

Oxidation refers to the loss of electrons by an atom or ion, while reduction is the gain of electrons. In redox reactions, one species is oxidized and another is reduced. Understanding these processes is crucial for determining which element is more easily oxidized, as it involves comparing their tendencies to lose electrons.

Standard Electrode Potentials

Standard electrode potentials (E°) provide a quantitative measure of the tendency of a species to be reduced. A more positive E° value indicates a greater tendency to gain electrons (be reduced), while a more negative value suggests a greater tendency to lose electrons (be oxidized). Comparing the E° values of Ti and Zn helps identify which element is more easily oxidized.

Reactivity Series of Metals

The reactivity series is a list of metals arranged in order of decreasing reactivity. Metals higher in the series are more easily oxidized and react more vigorously with acids and other substances. By understanding where Ti and Zn fall in this series, one can predict their relative ease of oxidation.