Given the reaction below, which is the oxidized substance? mg + cl2 mc005-1.jpg mg2+ + 2clmc005-2.jpg 2ci- ci2 mg mg2+

The given chemical reaction is:

Mg + Cl₂ → Mg²⁺ + 2Cl⁻

The reaction can be broken down into two half-reactions as follows:

Mg → Mg²⁺ + 2e⁻  (1)

Cl₂ + 2e⁻ → 2Cl⁻   (2)

Reaction (1) is an oxidation reaction as it involves loss of electrons.

Reaction (2) is reduction reaction as it involves gain of electrons.

The oxidation state of Mg changes from 0 (Mg) to +2 (Mg2+). Hence, Mg is the oxidized substance