What is being reduced in this reaction? Mg plus Cl sub 2 rightarrow Mg raised to the 2 plus power plus 2 Cl raised to the negative power

Reduction is the gain of electrons. In Cl₂, each chlorine atom has an oxidation state of 0; in Cl⁻, it is −1, so chlorine gains electrons as Cl₂ becomes 2 Cl⁻. Therefore, Cl₂ is being reduced.

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