Redox Flashcards
what is a redox equation?
Redox reactions involve both an oxidation reaction occurring at the same time as a reduction reaction.
what do redox equations involve?
Involve a transfer of electrons from one reactant species to another.
what is used to help remember oxidation and reduction reactions?
OILRIG -
Oxidation
Is
Loss of electrons
Reduction
Is
Gain of electrons
what is a reductant?
Undergoes oxidation, causes the OTHER REACTANT to undergo reduction, also called reducing agent.
what is an oxidant?
Undergoes reduction, causes the OTHER REACTANT to undergo oxidation, also called oxidising agent.
what are the steps for writing a half equation in acidic conditions?
1.Write redox couple separated by an →
2. Balance any atoms/ions (not O or H yet!)
3. Balance O by adding H2O to the other side
4. Balance H by adding H+ (acidic cond.) to the other side.
5. Check total charge on LHS and compare the the RHS
6. Add electrons (negative charge) to the appropriate side such that LHS = RHS. Charge does not need to be zero on both sides.
how do you identify a reduction half equation?
+ electrons on the LEFT
how do you identify a oxidation half equation?
+ electrons on the RIGHT
what does + electrons on the right really mean?
remember that + electrons on the right, really means - electrons on the left. (OIL)
what are the steps for combining half equation?
- Take note of no. of electrons on each side of the arrow in two half equations. If they are not equal then one/or both half equations need to be multiplied so they become equal.
- Combine two half equations so that ALL species on the LEFT of the arrow end up on the LEFT, and all species on the RIGHT of the arrow end up on the RIGHT.
- Cancel out electrons from both side as well as any other species that appear on both sides of arrow.
what conditions are half equations under for this AOS?
acidic conditions
what are oxidation numbers?
Oxidation numbers, sometimes referred to as oxidation states, are a tool we use to help keep track electrons.
what are oxidation numbers used for?
They are used for both ionic and covalently bonded species, so do not always represent an actual physical/formal charge.
what do oxidation numbers help us with?
They allow us to help ‘see’ where the transfer of electrons involved in redox reactions is occuring.
what reaction has a decrease in oxidation number?
reduction reaction
what reaction has an increase in oxidation number?
oxidation reaction
what are the oxidation rules?
- The oxidation number for an atom in its elemental form is always zero.
- The oxidation number of a monoatomic ion = charge of the monatomic ion. *
- The oxidation number of all Group 1A metals = +1 (unless elemental).
- The oxidation number of all Group 2A metals = +2 (unless elemental).
- Hydrogen (H) has two possible oxidation numbers:
* +1 when bonded to a non-metal
* -1 when bonded to a metal - Oxygen (O) has two possible oxidation numbers:
* -1 in peroxides (O2 2-)….pretty uncommon
* -2 in all other compounds…most common - The oxidation number of fluorine (F) is always -1.
(Assign non-metal oxidation numbers starting from the element closest to the top right corner of the periodic table.) - The sum of the oxidation numbers of all atoms (or ions) in a neutral compound = 0.
- The sum of the oxidation numbers of all atoms in a polyatomic ion = charge on the polyatomic ion.
what is an electrochemical series?
This is a ranking of redox species, based on which one is the best gainer of electrons.
what’s on the left side of electrochemical series?
oxidants
where are the strongest oxidants found in the electrochemical series?
The strongest oxidants are found highest in the ranking.
what’s on the right side of electrochemical series?
reductants
where are the strongest reductants found in the electrochemical series?
The strongest reductants are found lowest in the ranking.
what equation is read left to right in the electrochemical series?
reduction reaction
what equation is read right to left in the electrochemical series?
oxidation reaction