Answer:
The incorrect statement is: SO₂ gains electrons
Explanation:
A chemical reaction that involves the simultaneous transfer of electrons between two chemical species, is known as the redox reaction.
Given chemical reaction: 2SO₂(g) + O₂(g) → 2SO₃(g)
In this redox reaction, S is present in +4 oxidation state in SO₂ and +6 oxidation state SO₃. Whereas, O is present in 0 oxidation state in O₂ and -2 oxidation state in SO₃.
Therefore, SO₂ loses electrons and thus gets oxidized. Whereas, O₂ gains electrons and thus gets reduced.
In this reaction, SO₂ is the reducing agent and O₂ is the oxidizing agent.