What substance is oxidized in the reaction mg + cu2+ — mg2+ + cu?

Mg

Explanation:

Mg + Cu2+ — Mg2+ + Cu

Magnesium is oxidized because its oxidation state increased from 0 to +2 while Cu is reduced because its oxidation state decreased from +2 to 0.

Oxidation:

Oxidation involve the removal of electrons and oxidation state of atom of an element is increased.

Reduction:

Reduction involve the gain of electron and oxidation number is decreased.

Consider the following reactions.

4KI + 2CuCl₂  →   2CuI  + I₂  + 4KCl

the oxidation state of copper is changed from +2 to +1 so copper get reduced.

CO + H₂O   →  CO₂ + H₂

the oxidation state of carbon is +2 on reactant  side and on product side it becomes  +4 so carbon get oxidized.

Na₂CO₃ + H₃PO₄  →  Na₂HPO₄ + CO₂ + H₂O

The oxidation state of carbon on reactant side is +4. while on product side is  also +4 so it neither oxidized nor reduced.

H₂S + 2NaOH → Na₂S + 2H₂O

The oxidation sate of sulfur is -2 on reactant side and in product side it is also -2 so it neither oxidized nor reduced.

Oxidizing agents:

Oxidizing agents oxidize the other elements and itself gets reduced.

Reducing agents:

Reducing agents reduced the other element are it self gets oxidized.