Redox Flashcards
Single Replacement Reaction
When one element replaces another element in a compound
A metal will replace a less reactive metal ion
Element + Compound —> New Element + New Compound
Single Replacement Reaction Example:
Mg (s) + CuCl(2) (aq)
(Balanced Equation, Complete Ionic Equation, Net Ionic Equation)
Balanced Equation:
Mg (s) + CuCl(2) (aq) —> MgCl(2) (aq) + Cu (s)
Complete Ionic Equation:
Mg (s) + Cu(2+) (aq) + 2Cl(-) (aq) —> Mg(2+) (aq) + 2Cl(-) (aq) + Cu (s)
Net Ionic Equation:
Mg (s) + Cu(2+) (aq) —> Mg(2+) (aq) + Cu (s)
Redox Reaction
A redox reaction involves the transfer of electrons from one chemical species to another
Reduction
When a chemical species gains electrons
Oxidation
When a chemical species loses electrons
Half Equation
A half equation represents either an oxidation or reduction half of a redox equation including a loss or gain of electrons
Reduction Half Equation Example:
O(2) (g)
O(2) (g) + 4e(-) —> 2O(2-) (s)
Oxidation Half Equation: Mg(2+) (s)
Mg (s) —> Mg(2+) (s) + 2e(-)
To balance with reduction half equation:
2Mg (s) —> 2Mg(2+) (s) + 4e(-)
Complete Half Equation Example:
2Li (s) + Br(2) (l) —> 2LiBr (s)
Oxidation Half Equation:
Li(s) —> Li+ (s) + e(-)
Reduction Half Equation:
Br(2) (l) + 2e(-) —> 2Br(-) (s)
To Balance Half Equations:
2Li(s) —> 2Li+ (s) + 2e(-)
Full Equation:
Br(2) (l) + 2Li(s) —>2BrLi (s)
Oxidising Agent or Oxidant
A chemical species that causes another chemical species to be oxidised
Reducing Agent or Reagent
A chemical species that causes another chemical species to be reduced
SEP Table
Metals at the top are most reactive , most likely to oxidise, strongest reducing agents
Reactivity for a Redox Reaction to Occur
A more reactive metal will be oxidised by a less reactive metal cation (the metal donates its electrons and the cation receives the electrons). Therefore, for a spontaneous redox reaction to occur, the metal ions must be less reactive than the solid metal
Example of Reactivity for a Redox Reaction to Occur:
Copper wire is placed in silver nitrate solution
Cu is more reactive and therefore more likely to oxidise than Ag, so the redox reaction will take place.
Reduction Half Equation:
Ag(+) (aq) + e(-) —> Ag (s)
Oxidation Half Equation:
Cu (s) —> Cu(2+) (aq) + 2e(-)
Full Equation:
2Ag(+) (aq) + Cu (s) —> 2Ag (s) + Cu(2+) (aq)
Potential Difference
Potential difference exists between two half-cells connected by an external wire.
Potential difference has the symbol E and unit of volts. It is measured using a voltmeter under standard conditions