Determine if the following reaction represents an oxidation, reduction or neither.

• A. Oxidation
• B. Reduction
• C. Neither

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the species involved in the reaction and their oxidation states before and after the reaction. In the image, the species is iron (Fe) going from Fe^{3+} to Fe^{2+}.
2. Recall that oxidation involves an increase in oxidation state (loss of electrons), while reduction involves a decrease in oxidation state (gain of electrons).
3. Compare the oxidation states: Fe^{3+} is reduced to Fe^{2+}, which means the oxidation state decreases from +3 to +2.
4. Since the oxidation state decreases, this process is a reduction.
5. Therefore, the reaction shown in the image represents a reduction.