Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

Half-reaction

A chemical equation explicitly showing either oxidation or reduction

Half-reaction method

Procedure that involves writing separate, balanced equations for the oxidation and reduction processes called half-reactions

Oxidation

a process that involves complete or partial loss of electrons or a gain of oxygen

Oxidizing agent

The electron acceptor in a redox reaction.

Oxidation number

a positive or negative number assigned to an atom to indicate its degree of oxidation or reduction

Oxidation number-change method

a method of balancing a redox equation by comparing the increases and decreases in oxidation number.

Oxidation-reduction reaction

a reaction that involves the transfer of electrons between reactants,

Redox reaction

A chemical reaction involving the transfer of one or more electrons from one reactant to another; also called oxidation-reduction reaction.

Reduction

a process that involves a complete or partial gain of electrons or the loss of oxygen

Reducing agent

substance in a redox reaction that donates electrons, the reducing agent is oxidized