1.3 oxidising and reducing agents Flashcards
What is reduction?
a gain of electrons by a reactant in any reaction
What is oxidation?
loss of electrons by a reactant in any reaction
What happens in a redox reaction?
oxidation and reduction take place at the same time
What is an oxidising agent?
a substance that accepts electrons
What is a reducing agent?
a substance that donates electrons
Where can you identify oxidising and reducing agents?
in redox reactions
What elements tend to be reducing agents?
- elements with low electronegativities
- form ions by losing electrons
What elements tend to be oxidising agents?
- elements with high electronegativities
- form ions by gaining electrons
where in the periodic table are the strongest reducing and oxidising agents?
- reducing-group 1
- oxidising-group 7
Give examples of 3 strong oxidising agents
-hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
in acidic solutions
-dichromate ions (Cr2O7-2)
-permanganate ions (Mno4-)
Give an example of a reducing agent
carbon monoxide gas (CO)
Why are oxidising agents used?
- the effectiveness with which they kill fungi and bacteria and can inactivate viruses
- breaks down coloured compounds
- ideal fro bleach for clothes or hair
What is the electrochemical series?
a series of reduction reactions
where are the strongest oxidising agents found in the electrochemical series?
bottom left hand column
Where are the strongest reducing agents found in the electrochemical series?
top tight hand column
