Displacement Reactions and Redox Principles

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to displacement reactions and redox principles in chemistry.

Displacement Reaction

A chemical reaction in which a highly reactive species displaces or pushes out a less reactive element from its solution.

Reactivity Series

A list that ranks metals (and halogens) by their ability to displace other elements, where a more reactive metal can displace a less reactive one.

Oxidation State

The total number of electrons that have been removed from an element (producing a positive oxidation state) or added to an element (producing a negative oxidation state) to reach its current state.

Redox Reaction

A chemical reaction in which electrons are transferred between two reactants, marked by changes in oxidation states of the reacting species.

Oxidation

The loss of electrons and the corresponding increase in the oxidation state of a given reactant.

Reduction

The gain of electrons and the corresponding decrease in the oxidation state of a given reactant.

Oxidizing Agent

An electron-accepting species that tends to undergo reduction.

Reducing Agent

An electron-donating species that tends to undergo oxidation.

Single Displacement Reaction

A reaction where an element displaces another element in a compound, resulting in a new element and a new compound.

Hydrogen Displacement

When a metal greater in the reactivity series displaces hydrogen from acids or water.