Question

Identify the compound oxidized in the following reaction: H2S (g) + Cl2  (g) → S (s) + HCl (g)

Answer 1

H₂S + Cl₂ → S + 2HCl

1) H₂S is oxidised to S by losing hydrogen atoms.
2) Cl₂ is reduced to HCl by gaining hydrogen atoms.
3) The substance which gets oxidised is called reducing agent. Hence H₂S is reducing agent.
4) The substance which gets reduced is called oxidising agent. Hence Cl₂ is oxidising agent.