Oxidation states

A redox reaction

a reaction where both oxidation and reduction occurs

Reducing agent

An element that gives electrons to another element

Oxidising agent

When an element accepts electrons from another element

Oxidation in terms of electrons

Loss of electrons

Reduction in terms of electrons

Gain of electrons

Oxidation states

States the distribution of electrons between elements of different electronegativity

Oxidation in terms of hydrogen

Element loses hydrogen

Reduction in terms of hydrogen

Element gains hydrogen

Rules for oxidation states

An atom of an uncombined element has oxidation state of 0

Fluorine always -1

Group 1 metals +1

Group 2 metals +2

Hydrogen +1 when bonded to nonmetals and -1 when bonded to metals

Oxygen -2 but -1 in peroxides such as H2O2 and +2 when bonded to fluorine

How to determine which element gets a negative oxidation number

The more electronegative atom gets the negative oxidation number