redox reactions Flashcards
what are redox reactions? which classes of reactions does this include?
reactions in which elements gain and/or lose electrons (transfer electrons!)
includes:
- single replacement reactions
- combination reactions
- decomposition reactions
- combustion reactions
T/F: double replacement reactions involve electron transfer
false
oxidation numbers are written in terms of the oxidation number per ___
oxidation number PER ATOM
purpose of oxidation numbers?
systematic way to keep track of electrons transferred in a reaction! NOT THE SAME AS CHARGE
what oxidation number do elements alone in their natural form have?
always 0!!
the charge of monoatomic ions is equal to the _____
oxidation number of the ion!
in a compound, what oxidation number does fluorine always have?
-1, always!
in a compound, what oxidation number does oxygen always have? what is the exception to this?
always -2!
exception: when oxygen is bonded to fluorine, where O follows suit after fluorine
in a compound, what oxidation number does H have? what is the exception to this?
+1!
exception: metal hydrides (metal+H) where H has -1 oxidation number
the sum of the oxidation numbers from each atom in a compound must equal to the ______ of the species
overall charge
so: neutral compounds would need to have overall 0 net value
in a compound, alkali metals (group 1), tend to have an oxidation number of ___
in a compound, alkaline earth metals (group 2) tend to have an oxidation number of ___
group 1= +1
group 2 = +2
when element loses electrons, it is being ___
oxidized
when element gains electrons, it is being ___
reduced
what is the oxidizing agent?
reactant containing the element being REDUCED
what is the reducing agent?
reactant containing the element being OXIDIZED
