Chapter 14 - Oxidation and Reduction Flashcards
Define oxidation in terms of electron transfer
Oxidation of an element is takes place when it loses electrons
Define reduction in terms of electron transfer
Reduction of an element takes place when it gains electrons
What are the two rules of oxidation and reduction?
- Whenever oxidation occurs, reduction must also occur
2. If one substance loses electrons, then there must be some other substance to accept these electrons
Oxidising agent
Substance that brings about oxidation in other substances
Reducing agent
Substance that brings about reduction in other substances
Give three examples of oxidising agents
hydrogen peroxide in dying hair
iodine solution for killing germs
chlorine for killing germs
Give two examples of reducing agents
carbon monoxide in extraction of metals from their ores
sulfur dioxide in bleaching wood pulp in paper manufacture
Oxidation number
The charge that an atom has/appears to have when electrons are distributed according to certain rules
ON of any uncombined element is
0
ON of an ion of an element is
equal to the charge on that ion
sum of the ON of all the elements in a compound must
add up to 0
Group I elements have ON of
+1
Group II elements have ON of
+2
sum of all the ON in a complex ion must
add up to the charge on that ion
oxygen usually has an ON of
-2
