Redox reaction

What is meant by the term oxidation?

Loss of electrons
Gain of oxygen (which is it gains oxygen, will also be losing elecrons, but not all losing of electrons will be gaining oxygen)

What is meant by the term reduction?

Gain of electrons
Loss of oxygen

Explain what is a redox reaction:
Explain why the reaction between aluminium and iron(III) oxide is a redox reaction (3).

• A chemical reaction where both reduction and oxidation occur (simoultaneously)
• Aluminium gains oxygen OR losses electrons
• Iron/iron oxide loses oxygen OR Fe2O3/Fe3+ ions gains electrons (DOES NOT ACCEPT Fe ions)

What is a reducing agent?

Substance that loses electrons and so is oxidised to reduce another chemical

What is an oxidising agent?

Substance that gains electrons and so is reduced to oxidise another chemical

What is a thermite reaction?

A strongly exothermic reaction in which aluminium reacts with iron (III) oxide to produce molten iron.

What is the word and chemical equations for the reaction between aluminium and iron(III) oxide?

Aluminium + iron(III) oxide → aluminium oxide + iron
2Al + Fe2O3 → Al2O3 + 2Fe

We said earlier this was a redox reaction.
Identify the oxidising and reducing agent.

Fe2O3/Fe3+ ion is the oxidising agent because it gained electrons so it was reduced.
Al atom is the reducing agent because it lost electrons so it was oxidised.

For the reaction CuSO4 + Zn → ZnSO4 + Cu identify the reducing and oxidising agents.

CuSO4 is the oxidising agent because it gained electrons so it was reduced.
Zn atom is the reducing agent because it lost electrons so it was oxidised.