Question

What happens in the redox reaction below? Select all that apply.

Na + F + NaF

A- Fluorine loses an electron.
B- Sodium loses an electron.
C- Sodium gains an electron.
D- Fluorine gains an electron.
E- Sodium is oxidized.

Answer 1

B- Sodium loses an electron.

D- Fluorine gains an electron.

Sodium is oxidized.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reaction equation is given as:

Na + F → NaF

In this reaction, Na is the reducing agent. It loses an electron and then becomes oxidized. By so doing, Na becomes isoelectronic with Neon.

Fluorine gains the electron and then becomes reduced. This makes fluorine also isoelectronic with Neon.

This separation of charges on the two species leads to an electrostatic attraction which forms the ionic bonds.