Redox Reactions

What is oxidation in terms of both oxygen and electrons?

Oxidation is the increase in oxygen of a compound. It is also a decrease of electrons in a molecule

What is reduction in terms of both oxygen and electrons?

Reduction is the loss of oxygen from a molecule. It is also the gain of electrons in a molecule.

What is a redox reaction?

A redox reaction occurs where oxidation and reduction happens simultaneously through a transfer of electrons.

What is an oxidation number?

A hypothetical value assigned to an atom in a chemical compound represents the number of electrons it has lost or gained.

How can we decide whether a atom has been oxidised/reduced by its oxidation number?

A increase in the oxidation number = loss of electrons

A decrease in the oxidation number = gain of electrons

Define the term ‘oxidising agent’?

An oxidising agent gains electrons to become reduced and therefore oxidises another substance (causing it to lose electrons)

Define the term ‘reducing agent’?

A reducing agent loses electrons to become oxidised and therefore reduces another substance (causing it to gain electrons)

What is the main rule for the oxidation number of all compounds?

The oxidation number of all atoms of a compound must add up to equal zero as the compound itself must have a neutral charge.