In: Chemistry
Potassium dichromate is used in breathalyzers to measure alcohol content. The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between ethanol and potassium dichromate is given below.
3CH3CH2OH (aq) + 2K2Cr2O7 (aq) + 8H2SO4 (aq) --> 3CH3COOH (aq) + 2Cr2(SO4)3 (aq) + 2K2SO4 (aq) + 11H2O (l)
a. what is the oxidation state of Cr is Kr2Cr2O7?
b. what is the oxidation state of Cr in Cr2(SO4)3
c. Is Cr oxidized or reduced in the reaction? Explain.