Redox Reactions

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to redox reactions, oxidation numbers, and electron transfer.

Oxidized

The substance that loses electrons and whose oxidation number increases.

Reduced

The substance that gains electrons and whose oxidation number decreases.

Reducing Agent

The substance that causes another substance to be reduced; it itself is oxidized.

Oxidizing Agent

The substance that causes another substance to be oxidized; it itself is reduced.

Redox Reaction

A reaction where oxidation numbers change; electrons are transferred between substances.

Electron Transfer in Redox Reactions

Electrons must transfer from the substance oxidized to the substance reduced.

Oxidation Half-Reaction

A reaction that focuses only on the substance being oxidized, showing the loss of electrons.

Reduction Half-Reaction

A reaction that focuses only on the substance being reduced, showing the gain of electrons.

Electron Balance in Redox Reactions

In all redox reactions, the number of electrons lost must equal the number of electrons gained.