What is oxidation?
The gain of oxygen, loss of electrons, or increase in oxidation state
What is reduction?
The loss of hydrogen, gain of electrons, or decrease in oxidation state
What is an oxidation agent?
A species that is reduced, and causes another species to be oxidized
What is a reduction agent?
A species that is oxidized, and causes another species to be reduced
Which elements have the most variable oxidation states?
The transition metals and most main-group non-metal (excepting fluorine)
What is the activity series?
A scale that ranks metals according to the ease with which they undergo oxidation
What is the Winkler method?
A method that measures the dissolved oxygen content in a sample of water. It can be used to measure biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) which is a measure of pollution in water
What is a voltaic cell?
A cell that converts energy from spontaneous exothermic chemical processes to electrical energy
What is another name for voltaic cells?
Galvanic cells
Where does oxidation and reduction occur in a voltaic cell?
Oxidation occurs that the anode and reduction occurs at the cathode
What is the anode in a voltaic cell?
The negative electrode
What is the cathode in a voltaic cell?
The positive electrode
What is an electrolytic cell?
A cell that converts electrical energy into chemical energy by means of non-spontaneous processes
Where do oxidation and reduction occur in an electrolytic cell?
Oxidation occurs at the anode and reduction occurs at the cathode
What is a cathode in an electrolytic cell?
The negative electrode
What is an anode in an electrolytic cell?
The positive electrode
What is the molecular formula for graphite?
C
What is the chemical formula of alumina?
Al2O3
What is the function of a salt bridge in a voltaic cell?
The salt bridge provides the cations for the cathode and the anions for the anode, as well as it conducts the electron flow to complete the circuit