Redox Reactions: Oxidation and Reduction, Oxidation States and Redox Equations

1. 1
   Oxidation is the loss of electrons or loss of hydrogen and addition of oxygen.

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2. 2
   'Reduction is the gain of electrons or gain of hydrogen and loss of oxygen.

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3. 3
   Redox refers to a reaction where both of these happens

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   Remember it with OIL RIG (Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain)

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Oxidation States

The oxidation state of simple ions is simply its charge. For example, the oxidation state of Mg₂+ is +2, however, we also assign oxidation states to other compounds and the charge it would have if it were a simple ion and not bonded. In order to work out the oxidation states of some compounds we need to use some rules.

The oxidation gives a compound its name, for example Iron (IV) oxide means the oxidation state of iron is 4 so therefore there must be two oxygen atoms bonded to it. S-block metals loose their electrons in a reaction, so are good reductants (they are oxidized easily). There are also p-block elements which can have different oxidation states; and those in group VII, gain electrons in reactions so are good oxidants (they gain electrons easily).

Have a look at the reaction below. Fe₂O₃ + 2Al ==>> Al₂O₃ + 2Fe In this reaction iron is reduced (is an oxidant) because it gains electrons and goes from ion to element. The reverse is true for aluminium, which is oxidized (is a reductant). To show this we use half equations as below. Fe3+ + 3e- ==>> Fe Al ==>> Al^{3</sub>+ + 3e- Another skill you need is to combine half equations. Use the following example where concentrated nitric acid is added to copper. To do this you simply need to have the same number of electrons in each equation and then add combine, the same electrons means they will cancel.}

Remember that in acid, you can balance with H+ ions as well.

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APA (American Psychological Association)
Redox Reactions: Oxidation and Reduction, Oxidation States and Redox Equations. (2017). In ScienceAid. Retrieved Sep 24, 2023, from https://scienceaid.net/chemistry/physical/redox.html

MLA (Modern Language Association) "Redox Reactions: Oxidation and Reduction, Oxidation States and Redox Equations." ScienceAid, scienceaid.net/chemistry/physical/redox.html Accessed 24 Sep 2023.

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