Definition

Oxidation describes those reactions in which oxygen or the halogens are added to a substance or
hydrogen is removed from it.
Reduction describes those reactions in which oxygen or the halogens are removed from the
substance or hydrogen is added to it.
Oxidation can also be determined when electrons are lost by an atom or a group of atoms.
Reduction can be determined when electrons are gained by an atom or a group of atoms.
When an element is oxidised, its oxidation number increases.
When an element is reduced, its oxidation number decreases.

Oxidation
Reduction

Oxygen

Hydrogen

Electrons

Gain
Loss

Loss
Gain

Loss
Gain

Oxidation
Number
Increase
Decrease

E.g. Magnesium reacts with copper (II) oxide to produce magnesium oxide and copper metal.
Mg(s) + CuO(s) MgO(s) + Cu(s)
___________ has been OXIDISED by _______________ because ____________________.
___________ has been REDUCED by _______________ because ____________________.
________________ is the oxidising agent.
________________ is the reducing agent.
Oxidation state of Mg changes from ____ to ____, therefore it is ____________.
Oxidation state of Cu changes from ____ to ____, therefore it is ____________.
E.g. Reaction of hydrogen sulphide and chlorine to form hydrogen chloride and sulphur
H2S(g) + Cl2(g) 2HCl(g) + S(s)
___________ has been OXIDISED by _______________ because ____________________.
___________ has been REDUCED by _______________ because ____________________.
________________ is the oxidising agent.
________________ is the reducing agent.
Oxidation state of S changes from ____ to ____, therefore it is ____________.
Oxidation state of Cl2 changes from ____ to ____, therefore it is ____________.
Oxidation & Reduction always occur together

Reducing and oxidizing agent

A reducing agent is a substance that reduces another substance by:

giving hydrogen to the substance

removing oxygen from the substance
giving electrons to the substance

In the process of reducing another substance, the reducing agent itself becomes oxidized.
Common Reducing Agents are:

Potassium Iodide, KI
Reactive Metals such as Mg, Zn
Hydrogen Gas, H2

An oxidizing agent is a substance that oxidizes another substance by

giving oxygen to the substance

removing hydrogen from the substance
receiving electrons to the substance

In the process of oxidizing another substance, the oxidizing agent itself becomes reduced.
Common Oxidizing Agents are:

Acidified Potassium Manganate (VII), KMnO4 (purple solution)

Acidified Potassium Dichromate (VI), K2CrO7 (orange solution)
Halogens e.g. Cl2 gas, Chlorine water

Testing for reducing and oxidising agent

Purpose
Colour
If agent present

Potassium Iodide (KI)

Test for oxidising agent
Colourless
Turns brown

Potassium Dichromate (VI)

Test for reducing agent
Orange
Turns green

Question 1:
In which of the following reactions is the underlined substance reduced?
A. Cl2 + 2I- > 2Cl- + I2
B. Zn + H2SO4 > ZnSO4 + H2
C. Fe2+ + H2O2 > Fe3+ + H2O
D. CuO + H2 > Cu + H2O
Question 2:
Which conversion involves the smallest change in oxidation number of the underlined
element?
A. C(s) > CO2
B. NO3-(aq) > NO2(g)
C. SO32-(aq) > SO42-(aq)
D. MnO4-(aq) > Mn2+(aq)
Question 3:
The oxidation states of chlorine in ClO4- and Cl2O are respectively
A. +1 and +3
B. +3 and +7
C. +7 and +1
D. +7 and +2
Question 4:
Which statement is true about oxidizing agents?
A. Their oxidation state is zero
B. They are easily oxidized
C. They never contain hydrogen
D. They readily accept electrons
Question 5:
What does an oxidizing agent do?
A. It turns acidified potassium dichromate (VI) green
B. It turns potassium manganate (VII) colorless
C. It turns Universal Indicator red
D. It turns aqueous potassium iodide brown

The reaction below is an example of a redox reaction.

Br2 (l) + H2 (g) --> 2HBr (g)

(a)

Identify the oxidizing agent in the reaction.

(b)
Explain with reference to bromine and using oxidation number, why this is a redox
reaction.

Determine the oxidation number of the elements in each of the following compounds:
a. H2 CO3
b. N2
c. Zn(OH)42d. NO2 e. LiH
f. Fe3O4