Chemistry Question.?

Question

It is actually from my grade 12 Chemistry homework.

The question says aqueous chlorine and aqueous sodium bromide.

Therefore, the species list will be Cl2(aq), H20(l), Na1+(aq), Br1-(aq).

Here is a problem: When I look at my data table the reduction half-reaction for Chlorine is Cl2(g) + 2e- --> 2Cl-(aq).

Will there be no reaction because it is aqueous Cl2(aq)???
Doesn't it has to be Cl2(g) in order to achieve this reaction?

Another question is... it is fairly simple, i am just a little confused a little bit.

F2 + 2e- --> 2F-

is this oxidation or reduction?

Thank you. Please. Help me out.

Answer 1

1.) Remember, whenever you have a compound in solution, the ions disassociate. Since the disassociation allows the Na+, Br-, Cl- ions to split apart, and the Cl is more reactive than Br, you get NaCl + Br2.

2.) Reduction is the gain of an electron. An easy way to remember that reduction reduces the charge (negative being less than 0 or positive).