REDOX reactions

Question 1

What is being reduced and what is being oxidized?

Iron oxide + carbon —-> Iron + carbon dioxide

Answer 1

Iron oxide + carbon —-> Iron + carbon dioxide
Iron is being reduced because it is coming out of the compound so it needs its electrons back from oxygen.
Carbon is being oxidized because it is going into a compound so it needs to give it’s electrons away.

Question 2

How do you remember which element is being reduced and which one is being oxidized?

Answer 2

You think of it like this: two people are divorcing so the husband wants his Ferrari back (Ferrari being the electrons) because of the divorce. So the husband leaves the relationship (compound) and now he has his Ferrari back (electrons). Now someone else wants to marry someone else and the woman’s parents say you need to give a dowry first (electrons). So you give the dowry and now you are part of the relationship (compound).