Redox Flashcards
1
Q
what is oxidation
A
loss of electrons
gain of oxygen
loss of hydrogen
1
Q
what is reduction
A
gain of electrons
loss of oxygen
gain of hydrogen
2
Q
what is an oxidising agent
A
species that gains electrons
3
Q
what is a reducing agent
A
species that loses electrons
4
Q
define oxidation state
A
number which represents the number of electrons lost or gained by an atom of that element in the compound
5
Q
define disproportionation
A
where in a redox reaction, the oxidation states of atoms of the same element increase for some atoms whereas decrease for others
6
Q
why is 1s2 2s2 2p5 a weaker reducing agent than 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2
A
the 2p electron is closer to the nucleus than 4s electron
nuclear attraction stronger so 2p electron lost less easily than 4s
7
Q
what happens in a redox reaction
A
- electrons transferred from one species to another
- one element oxidised whilst another is reduced
