Redox roles in iron-chlorine reaction

Steps:

• Assign oxidation states: Fe is 0 in element, +2 in FeCl2; Cl is 0 in Cl2, -1 in FeCl2.
• Iron loses 2 electrons per atom (oxidation); chlorine gains 2 electrons per molecule (reduction).
• Oxidizing agent accepts electrons and causes oxidation: chlorine oxidizes iron.
• Confirm redox: electron transfer occurs, so it is a redox reaction.

Why A is correct:

• Oxidizing agent is the species reduced, gaining electrons; chlorine is reduced from 0 to -1, oxidizing iron.

Why the others are wrong:

• B: Iron loses electrons (oxidized), does not gain them.
• C: Iron is oxidized (loses electrons), not reduced.
• D: Electron transfer between Fe and Cl confirms it is a redox reaction.

Final answer: A