2: Redox Reactions

redox reactions

electron transfer reactions where reduction and oxidation occur simultaneously

reduction involves the

gain of electrons and decrease in oxidation number of an atom

oxidation involves the

loss of electrons and increase in oxidation number

reducing agents

a substance that loses electrons and undergoes oxidation

oxidising agents

a subtance that gains electrons and undergoes reduction

oxidation number

the number of electrons which the atom loses or tends to lose/gains or tends to gain when it forms the substance

electronegativity

of an atom is a measure of its ability to attract electrons in a covalent bond. the more electronegative atom has greater attraction for shared electrons

trend of electronegativity

increases across the period and decreases down the group

disproportionation reaction

a redox reaction whereby atoms of an element in a single substance undergo oxidation and reduction simultaneously. the oxidation state of that atom increases and decreases at the same time