Higher - Unit 1 - Oxidising and Reducing Agents

Describe oxidation

loss of electrons (gain of oxygen)

Describe reduction

gain of electrons (loss of oxygen)

Describe redox reactions

Oxidation and reduction taking place at the same time.

What is an oxidising agent?

It accepts electrons (is reduced itself)

What is a reducing agent?

It donates electrons (is oxidised itself)

Where can oxisdising and reducing agents be found on the PT?

Strongest oxidising agents are on group 7, strongest reducing agents are in group 1.

Describe the kink between oxidising and reducing agents and electronegativity.

Elements with low electronegativities form ions by losing electrons so are reducing agents (oxidising the opposite).

Name uses of oxidising agents.

Kill bacteria, bleach for clothes and hair.

Describe the trend of oxidising and reducing agents on the electronchemical series.

Strongest oxidising agents are at the bottom, strongest reducing agents are at the top.

What does the elcetrochemical series represent?

A series of reduction reactions.

How can ion-electron equations be balanced?

By adding water molecules, hydrogen ions and electrons.