I performed an experiment and mixed copper nitrate and potassium iodide. When they reacted, they formed a precipitate, even though solubility rules would not lead one to predict so because potassium nitrate is obviously soluble and so should copper (II) iodide. One can deduce from the formation of a precipitate that copper is reduced. Write a proposed reaction for the oxidation reduction of copper (II) iodide. Justify the choice of the substance that reduces the copper based on experimental evidence. Also, justify the choice using the atomic structure of potassium ion and iodide ion.

2Cu2^+ + 2I^- > 2Cu^+ + I2

Explanation:

The reaction performed in the experiment is;

2 Cu(NO3)2 + 4 KI → 2 CuI (s) + 4 KNO3 + I2

The iodide ions reduces Cu^2+ to Cu^+ which is insoluble in water hence the precipitate. This is so because iodine is a good oxidizing agent seeing that it requires one electron to fill its outermost shell. Potassium on the other hand is a good reducing agent since it easily looses its one electron.

The oxidation - reduction equation is as follows;

2Cu2^+ + 2e > 2Cu^+ reduction half equation

2I^- > I2 + 2e. Oxidation half equation

Balanced redox reaction equation;

2Cu2^+ + 2I^- > 2Cu^+ + I2