AP Chem Redox Reactions Flashcards
what happens to the electrons in redox reactions
they are transferred
what are oxidation state
a concept that provides a way to keep track of electrons in redox reactions according to certain rules
what is the oxidation state of an atom in an element
0
what is the oxidation state of a monatomic ion
the same as its charge
what is the oxidation state of fluorine in its compounds
-1
what is the oxidation state of oxygen in its compounds (and what is the one exception)
-2; exception is when its in a peroxide (O2 -2) in which oxygen is -1
what is the oxidation state of hydrogen in its covalent compounds
+1
do oxidation states have to be whole numbers
no, they can be fractions
what is oxidation
an increase in oxidation state, or the loss of electrons
what is reduction
a decrease in oxidation state, or the gain of electrons
pneumonic to remember the difference between oxidation and reduction
OIL RIG
oxidation is losing (electrons), reduction is gaining (electrons)
what is the reducing agent
the one that gets oxidized
what is the oxidizing agent
the one who gets reduced
