Oxidation and Reduction Flashcards
What is oxidation?
The addition of oxygen, the loss of electrons and the increase in oxidation number
What is reduction?
A loss of oxygen, gain of electrons and decrease in oxidation number
What does an oxidising agent do?
causes oxidation and is itself reduced
What does a reducing agent do?
causes reduction and is itself oxidised
What is the most abundant element on the earths crust and in the human body?
Oxygen
What does oxygen combine with?
the vast majority of other elements
What is oxygen involved in?
some of the most important chemical reactions - burning, respiration, rusting
What did oxidation used to be defined as and give an example?
the addition of oxygen to a substance e.g. C + O2 -> CO2
What did reduction used to be defined as?
the removal of oxygen
Before the discovery of electrons, what were reactions that involved the addition of oxygen to a substance described as?
oxidation reactions
What was removing oxygen from a substance previously described as? Why?
a reduction reaction as the mass to the substance got smaller due to the oxygen being removed
What did scientists notice after the discovery of the electron?
Scientists examined reactions more closely and noticed that many chemical reactions involved the transfer of electrons. One substance lost electrons while another gained electrons.
What did the transfer of electrons involve?
One substance losing electrons while another gained electrons.
What is oxidation?
When an element loses electrons
What is reduction?
Reduction is when an element gains electrons
What do we use to remember oxidation and reduction?
OIL RIG
What does OIL RIG stand for?
Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain
Write down a formula to show oxidation and reduction explaining what has been oxidised and why
Zn + Cu2+ -> Zn2+ + Cu (remember Zn is more positive so it lost negatives so it has been OXIDISED not REDUCED)