Chemistry in Society: Oxidising and Reducing Agents Flashcards
Ion-electron equations can be written for reactions and such equations can be combined to do what?
Form redox equations
What is an oxidising agent?
A substance that accepts electrons
What is a reducing agent?
A substance that donates electrons
Metals tend to act as what, and why?
Reducing agents as they readily lose electrons
Non-metals tend to act as what, and why?
Oxidising agents as they readily gain electrons
The electronegativity scale can be used to assess what?
Whether a substance is likely to be an oxidising or reducing agent.
Reducing agents have what?
Low electronegativity values
Oxidising agents have what?
High electronegativity values
In the periodic table where are the strongest reducing agents?
Group 1
In the periodic table where are the strongest oxidising agents?
Group 7
In the electrochemical series, the strongest reducing agents are found where?
The top right
In the electrochemical series, the strongest oxidising agents are found where?
The bottom left
What are everyday applications of oxidising agents?
The use of hydrogen peroxide to bleach clothes, hair and teeth
Strong oxidising agents, such as potassium permanganate and hydrogen peroxide are also what?
Powerful antiseptics (they destroy bacteria, viruses and fungi)
