redox

redox reaction

a rxn where both reduction and oxidation occur simultaneously

oxidation - in terms of hydrogen and oxygen

reduction - in terms of hydrogen and oxygen

oxidation - in terms of

reduction - in terms of

oxidation - in terms of

reduction - in terms of

reactivity series

ranks metals according to the ease in which they undergo oxidation to form positive ions.

metals (higher/lower?) in the series form (positive or negative?) ions and are thus more reactive

higher

positive

(they get oxidized, they lose electrons more readily)

lose electrons more readily (easily oxidized) = what kind of reducing agent, strong or weak?

strong

up the reactivity series, the strength of the reducing agent..

increases

NOTE: NEVER EVER FOREVER MENTION THAT GOING DOWN, STRENGTH OF OXIDIZING AGENT DECREASES. THE TABLE TALKS ABOUT REDUCING AGENT, NOT OXIDIZING. HENCE, IT IS IRRELEVANT TO MENTION THE STRENGTH OF THE OXIDIZING AGENT.

what can we deduce about a specific reaction from the reactivity series?

whether or not the reaction takes place

this is because metals higer up in the series can displace those lower in the series from their salts because they are stronger reducing agents.