The change in the oxidation number of the iron atom in the reaction is from +3 to 0
Oxidation is simply defined as the the loss of electron. However, Oxidation number simply talks about the number of electrons that is either gained or lossed during bond formation.
The change in the oxidation number of iron in the reaction can be obtained as follow:
2FeβOβ(s) + 3C(s) β 4Fe(s) + 3COβ(g)
Oxidation number of Fe in FeβOβ
Oxidation number of FeβOβ = 0 (ground state)
Oxidation number of oxygen = β2
Oxidation number of Fe =?
FeβOβ = 0
2Fe + 3O = 0
2Fe + 3(β2) = 0
2Fe β 6 = 0
Collect like term
2Fe = 6
Divide both side by 2
Fe = 6/2
Fe = +3
Thus, the oxidation number of Fe in FeβOβ is +3
Oxidation number of Fe (ground state) is zero
Therefore, the change in the oxidation number of the iron, Fe, atom in the reaction is from +3 to 0
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