Topic 7 Flashcards
What is the oxidation number of elements?
Zero
What is the oxidation number of simple ions?
Charge
What is oxidation?
Increase in oxidation number, loss of electrons (electrons on RHS)
What is reduction?
Decrease in oxidation number, gain of electrons (electrons on LHS)
Redox meaning
Stands for reduction and oxidation. In a redox reaction there are two species, one is oxidised and one is reduced
Oxidation in terms of oxygen and hydrogen
Gain of oxygen, loss of hydrogen
reduction in terms of oxygen and hydrogen
Loss of oxygen, gain of hydrogen
What is an oxidant (oxidising agent)
- Oxidises the other species
- Gets reduced
- Gains electrons, oxidation number decreases
What is a reductant (reducing agent)
- Reduces the other species
- Gets oxidised
- Loses electrons, oxidation number increases
What are reactants and species?
Reactants are the full substance not ionic species eg ZnSO4 is the substance that acts as an oxidant but Zn2+ is the species that is reduced
What colour is iodide ion and chloride ion?
Colourless, so is bromide
What is electrolysis?
The breakdown of an ionic compound in molten or aqueous solution by the passage of the electric current
What compounds can confuct electricity?
- Covalent compounds cannot conduct electricity hence they do not undergo electrolysis
- Ionic compounds in the solid state cannot conduct electricity either since they haveno free ionsthat can move and carry the charge
What is the current for in electrolysis?
Provides voltage that forces electrons to be gained and lost when it wouldn’t otherwise be possible
Why does electrolysis occur?
The charged ions in the electrolyte allows electrons to flow.
- The electrons move through the external circuit towards the cathode
- These electrons are gained by the cations and transferred from the cathode. Reduction occurs at the cathode
- The electrons are lost from the anion and transferred from the anode. Oxidation occurs at the anode
What is an electrode?
Electrodes are the rods that carry the electric current to and from the electrolyte. These rods are usually inert, as in they do not react- usually graphite or platinum. Anode is positive electrode and cathode is negative electrode
What is electrolyte?
the compound that conducts electricity when molten and breaks down during electrolysis