Oxidation and reduction Flashcards
What were reactions that involved the addition of oxygen to a substance described as before the discovery if electrons?
Oxidation reactions
What was removing oxygen from a substance (before the discovery of electrons)
A reduction reaction as the mass of the substance got smaller due to the oxygen being removed.
What did scientists notice after the discovery of the electron?
That many chemical reactions involved the transfer of electrons.
What is meant by many chemical reactions involved the transfer of electrons
One substance lost electrons while another gained electrons.
Define oxidation
Occurs when the element loses electrons.
Define reduction
Occurs when the element gains electrons.
What is a useful way of remembering oxidation and reduction?
OIL RIG - oxidation is loss, reduction is gain.
Do oxidation and reduction occur at the same time?
Yes.
What is the name of the reaction that occurs when one element loses electrons and another element gains electrons?
Redox reactions.
Mg + O –>
Mg(2+) + O (2-) (Mg loses 2e, O gains 2e)
Zn + Cu (2+) –>
Zn (2+) + Cu
Zn is being oxidised = reducing agent
Cu is being reduced = oxidising agent
What is the element that loses the electrons called?
The reducing agent
What is the element that gains electrons called?
The oxidising agent
In the following equation pick out the species being oxidised, the species being reduced, the oxidising agent and the reducing agent = Fe(2+) + Cl –> Fe(3+) + Cl(-)
Fe = oxidised Cl = reduced Fe = the reducing agent Cl = the oxidising agent
What side are the species being oxidised/reduced and the oxidising/reducing agent always on and why?
- Left
- As they are reactants
