Electron Loss and Gain Flashcards
what was the of school way of teaching oxidation and reduction
- that oxidation was the addition of oxygen
- and reduction was the removal of oxygen
how was that principle slightly updated with the introduction of hydrogen
- oxidation was also the removal of hydrogen
- and reduction was the addition of hydrogen
what is a reaction that has oxidation and reduction occurring at the same time called
a redox reaction
what does oxidation and reduction now revolve around
the transfer of electrons
in the reaction 2Mg + O2 = 2MgO, what is happening to the magnesium and oxygen
- the magnesium is getting oxidised
- the oxygen is getting reduced
why is Mg being oxidised
- because it is losing electrons
- an Mg atom goes to an Mg ion with a 2+ charge as it has lost two electrons
why is O being reduced
- because it is gaining electrons
- an O atom goes to an O ion with a 2- charge has gained two electrons
therefore, what are the new definitions of oxidation and reduction
- oxidation is the loss of electrons
- reduction is the gain of electrons
what mnemonic is used to remember this
- OILRIG
- Oxidation
- Is
- Loss of electrons
- Reduction
- Is
- Gain of electrons
in the reaction between magnesium and oxygen, which one is the oxidising and reducing agent
- oxygen is the oxidising agent
- magnesium is the reducing agent
what has happened in the reaction 2Cu+(aq) = Cu2+(aq) + Cu(s)
disproportionation
what has happened in that reaction or it to be disproportionation
- one of the Cu+ ions has lost an electron and become a Cu2+ ion
- the other Cu+ ion has gained an electron and become a Cu atom
- because oxidation and reduction have occurred for the same element, it is disproprotionation
what is an oxidising agent
a species that oxidises another species by removing electrons
what is a reducing agent
a species that reduces another species by adding electrons
