Chemical properties of elements

Question 1

What is meant by oxidation?

Answer 1

Loss of electrons from an atom/ion

Question 2

What is meant by basic solution?

Answer 2

A solution with a pH above 7

Question 3

What is meant by allotropes?

Answer 3

Two or more different physical forms that an element can exist in, e.g. graphite and diamond are allotropes of carbon

Question 4

What is meant by amphoteric?

Answer 4

Substances that can act as both an acid and a base

Question 5

What is meant by redox?

Answer 5

The transfer of electrons during chemical reactions

Question 6

What is meant by half equation

Answer 6

An equation that shows the loss or gain of electrons during a reaction

Question 7

What does OILRIG stand for

Answer 7

Oxidation Is Loss (of electrons),
Reduction Is Gain (of electrons)

Question 8

What are the assigning oxidation states?

Answer 8

1) The oxidation state of an atom in an element is always zero. For example, in sodium, Na, it is 0 and
in O2, oxygen, it is 0.
2) The oxidation state in an element or its ion is always its charge, including for polyatomic ions
3) The oxidation state of fluorine in a compound is always −1 as it is the most electronegative element.
4) The oxidation state of oxygen is nearly always −2 (except in peroxides and FO, where it is −1, +1).
5) The oxidation state of chlorine in a compound is usually -1 unless bonded with F or O.
6) The oxidation state of hydrogen is +1 unless bonded to a metal when it is –1. Group 1 metals are +1,
group 2 metals are +2, and aluminium is +3.
7) The sum of oxidation states in a compound is always 0. In polyatomic ions, the sum of the oxidation
state of each element in the formula is the overall charge.