In Cu + 2 AgNO₃ → Cu(NO₃)₂ + 2 Ag, the species oxidised is:
ACu (loses electrons)
BAg⁺ (loses electrons)
CNO₃⁻
DAg (gains electrons)
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Cu (loses electrons)
1. Cu goes from 0 to +2 — that's an INCREASE in oxidation state, i.e., oxidation.
2. Ag⁺ goes from +1 to 0 — REDUCED.
3. So Cu is oxidised (reducing agent); Ag⁺ is reduced (oxidising agent).
4. NO₃⁻ is a spectator ion here.
_Source: NCERT Class 11 Chem Ch 8 §8.2 Identifying Redox Pairs_
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