Oxidation-Reduction Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing Oxidation-Reduction lecture notes.

Anode

The electrode at which oxidation occurs.

Cathode

The electrode at which reduction occurs.

Voltaic cell

An electrochemical cell in which a spontaneous chemical reaction produces a flow of electrons.

Electrolytic cell

An electrochemical cell that requires an electric current to force a nonspontaneous chemical reaction to occur.

Electrode

The site at which oxidation or reduction occurs.

Redox

A chemical reaction involving the transfer of electrons; always involves both oxidation and reduction.

Oxidation

Loss of electrons by an atom or ion.

Reduction

Gain of electrons by an atom or ion.

Oxidation number (state)

Positive, negative, or neutral values assigned to atoms to keep track of electrons lost or gained.

Half-reaction

A chemical equation that only shows the oxidation or reduction portion of a redox reaction, including the electrons gained or lost.

Salt bridge

A device that connects two half-cells in a voltaic cell and provides a path for the flow of ions, completing the circuit.

Electrolysis

A process in which electricity is used to force a chemical reaction to occur.

Electrochemical cell

An electrochemical cell that uses a redox reaction to convert chemical energy into electrical energy.