Oxidation Numbers

Question 1

What happens to the oxidation number in an oxidation reaction?

Answer 1

number increases

Question 2

What happens to the oxidation number in a reduction reaction?

Answer 2

number decreases

Question 3

What does the oxidation number mean?

Answer 3

hypothetical charge of an atom if all of its bonds to other atoms were fully ionic, placeholder values that we use to determine if a particular element/compound was oxidized or reduced

Question 4

When can hydrogen have an oxidation number of -1?

Answer 4

when it partners with Li, Na, Ca, and LiAl

Question 5

What is the purpose of a salt bridge in a galvanic (voltaic) cell?

Answer 5

to balance charges and to prevent buildup of charges and ensure electrons keep flowing

Question 6

What do rechargeable batteries do?

Answer 6

add external power source that forces the electrons against their normal direction of flow

Question 7

What is standard electrode potential (SEP)?

Answer 7

atoms have a propensity for accepting or donating electrons

Question 8

What does a positive SEP mean?

Answer 8

atom is really ager to become reduced
Au atoms love to gain electrons

Question 9

What does a negative SEP mean?

Answer 9

the atom is really eager to become oxidized
Al atoms love to lose electrons

Question 10

What do you need for a powerful battery?

Answer 10

a compound that is really eager to lose electrons