Question

What metal ion in solution will oxidize magnesium? What is the balanced net ionic equation, the spectator ion(s), the oxidizing agent and the reducing agent? what would this look like if you did this in the lab?

Answer 1

The metals below magnesium in the electrochemical series can oxidise magnesium in solution.

For example place a piece of Mg metal in copper sulphate solution. slowly the Mg metal dissolves and red ppt of cu fforms. The blue color of CuSO4 fades away.

The reaction is

Mg (s) + CuSO4 (aq) ---------------> MgSO4 (aq) + Cu(s)

The net ionic reaction is

Mg (s) + Cu+2(aq) ------------> Mg+2(aq) + Cu(s)

the spectator ion is SO4^-2

The oxidisng agent is Cu+2 and reducing agent is Mg.