Redox Reactions

Redox Reaction

A chemical reaction involving the transfer of electrons between reactants, leading to changes in oxidation states.

Oxidation

The loss of electrons by a reactant, resulting in an increase in its oxidation state.

Reduction

The gain of electrons by a reactant, leading to a decrease in its oxidation state.

Oxidizing Agent

Electron-accepting species that undergo reduction in redox reactions.

Reducing Agent

Electron-donating species that undergo oxidation in redox reactions.

Decomposition Reaction

A redox reaction where a compound breaks down into simpler compounds.

Combination Reaction

A redox reaction where two compounds combine to form a single compound.

Displacement Reaction

A redox reaction where an atom or ion in a compound is replaced by another element.

Disproportionation Reactions

Redox reactions where a single reactant is both oxidized and reduced.

Reduction Potential

The standard electrode potential of a half-reaction in a redox reaction.

Oxidizing Agents

Substances that gain electrons and are reduced in redox reactions.

Reducing Agents

Substances that lose electrons and are oxidized in redox reactions.

Balancing Redox Reaction

Methods to balance redox reactions, including oxidation state method and ion-electron method.

Balancing redox reactions

Process of ensuring the conservation of mass and charge by adjusting the number of atoms and charges in reactants and products.

Acidic medium

Environment where the solution has excess H+ ions; oxygen atoms are balanced by adding H2O molecules and H-atoms by adding H+ ions.

Alkaline medium

Environment where the solution has excess OH- ions; oxygen atoms are balanced by adding H2O molecules, and H+ atoms are balanced by adding OH- ions.

Ion-electron method

Technique used to balance redox reactions by balancing the number of electrons transferred in each half-reaction.

Half-reactions

Separate equations representing the oxidation and reduction processes in a redox reaction before they are combined to form the overall balanced equation.