chem - topic 3: redox 1

Oxidation number​

The charge of an ion or a theoretical charge of an atom in a covalently bonded compound assuming the bond becomes ionic.

Oxidation​

Loss of electron, increase in oxidation number.

Reduction​

Gain in electrons, decrease in oxidation number.

Redox​

A reaction that involves oxidation and reduction.

Oxidising agent​

Accepts electrons and gets reduced in a redox reaction (causes the oxidation of other species).

Reducing agent

Donates electrons and gets oxidised in a redox reaction (causes the reduction of other species).

Half-equations

​A full redox equation could be split into two half-equations, oxidation and reduction. This concept is useful for balancing complex redox reactions, such as

Disproportionation​:A redox reaction involving an element in a single species being simultaneously oxidised and reduced, e.g. Cl​ 2​ + H​ 2​ O ⇌ HClO + HCl