Oxidation and Reduction Flashcards
What happens to spectator ions?
They cancel out
What is oxidation?
Loss of electrons
What is reduction?
Gain of electrons
What do oxidation states do?
They recognize the degree to which electrons practically belong to a particular element from the perspective of ionic bonding (not real charges, but just for electron bookkeeping)
What are the rules for assigning oxidation states?
Sum of all oxidation states = charge (0 for neutral).
Oxidation state of an element of an atom = 0
Oxidation state of monatomic ion = its charge.
Fluorine is always -1.
Oxygen is usually -2 (w/ F, F takes precedence, in Peroxides, = -1).
Hydrogen = +1 (in hydrides its -1).
How can redox reactions be recognized?
If oxidation states change, redox is happening. If not, on redox.
What is the reducing agent?
The compound that facilitates the reduction and is oxidized itself.
What is the oxidizing agent?
The compound that facilitates the oxidation and is reduced itself.
What is combustion?
Rapid oxidation accompanied by the release of heat and light.
Once complete, what happens to the fuel in a combustion reaction?
The elements of the fuel form compounds with the oxidizing agent.
When nonspontaneous redox reactions occur by use of an external current, the process is called what?
Electrolysis
What is the purpose of a salt bridge?
To allow ion migration
