Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:IM-CHEMENG-1STSEM-2020-2021

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Bayombong Campus

DEGREE PROGRAM BSCE COURSE NO. CHEM ENG

SPECIALIZATION COURSE TITLE Chemistry for Engineers
YEAR LEVEL 1st TIME FRAME 3 HRS WK NO. 1 IM NO. 1

I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE

Energy - Electrochemical Energy

II. LESSON TITLE

Oxidation Numbers and Redox Reactions

III. LESSON OVERVIEW

This topic deals with the basics of electrochemical energy. This type of energy the transformation of
chemical energy to electrical energy and vice versa. An introduction to electrochemical energy involves
oxidation and reduction reactions where there is transfer of electrons.

IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to determine oxidation numbers of various elements
and determine oxidation reduction reactions.

V. LESSON CONTENT

Energy – defined as the capacity to do work

One type of energy is electrochemical energy which defines the conversion of

electrical energy to chemical energy and vice versa

Electrochemistry deals with electrons and their movements. An example is that of

a dry-cell battery.

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NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:IM-CHEMENG-1STSEM-2020-2021

Before we proceed any further, let us first have a review on oxidation numbers.

REVIEW

Oxidation Numbers – represents the number of electrons gained or lost by an atom of an element
when it forms
RULES for Assigning oxidation numbers:
1. Oxidation number of atoms in any free, uncombined, element is zero.

2. Oxidation number of an element is equal to the charge

𝑪𝒍− 𝑵𝒂+ 𝑺𝟐− 𝑨𝒍𝟑+
−1 +1 −2 +3

3. Oxidation number of fluorine (F) is -1 in all compounds.

Ex: NaF SF6
+1 -1 +6-1

4. Oxidation number of hydrogen (H) is +1 except in hydrides

Ex: HCl H2O NH4+
+1-1 +1 -2 -3 +1

Exceptions: Sodium Hydride, NaH Calcium Hydride, CaH2

+1-1 +2-1

5. Oxidation number of oxygen (O) is -2 except in peroxides (-1) and when bonded to F (+2)
Ex: Na2O H2O CO2
+1 -2 +1 -2 +4 -2

Exceptions: Hydrogen peroxide, H2O2 Difluorine oxide, F2O

+1 -1 -1 +2

6. When bonded to different elements, the oxidation number of:

a. Group I elements (except H) is ALWAYS +1
b. Group II elements is ALWAYS +2
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NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:IM-CHEMENG-1STSEM-2020-2021

c. Aluminum is always +3

Ex: KBr MgF2 Al2O3

+1 -1 +2 -1 +3 -2

7. Sum of the oxidation numbers of all atoms in a neutral compound is zero;

sum of the oxidation numbers in a polyatomic ion equals the charge of the ion.
Ex :

PO43- SO42- NH4+

+5 -2 +6 -2 -3 +1

PRACTICE: Determine the oxidation number of each atom for the following compounds:

1. Cl2O7
2. BrO4-
3. H4P2O7
4. S2O32-
5. N2
6. Na2O2

ANSWERS:
1. Cl2O7
+7 -2

We know that the oxidation number (ON) of oxygen is -2 (Rule5). To determine the oxidation
number of chlorine, we use simple algebraic expression bearing to mind Rule 7. Let X be the
ON of Cl:

𝑥(2) + (−2)(7) = 0
2𝑥 = 14
14
𝑥= =7
2
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NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:IM-CHEMENG-1STSEM-2020-2021

2. BrO4-
Again, we use simple algebraic expression to determine to ON of Br
𝑥 + (−2)(4) = −1
𝑥 = −1 + 8
𝑥=7

So, the ON for bromine is 7 and oxygen is -2.

Note: If you can calculate the ON mentally, you need not to use algebraic expressions.

3. H4P2O7
ON for H is +1 (Rule 4) and for O is -2 (Rule 5)

1(4) + 𝑥 (2) + (−2)(7) = 0

4 + 2𝑥 − 14 = 0
2𝑥 = 14 − 4
2𝑥 = 10
𝑥=5

By the examples above, hopefully you already know how to determine the ONs.

For the next numbers, the oxidation numbers and provided. Try to solve on your own.

4. S2O32-
+2 -2

5. N2
0

6. Na2O2
+1 -1

BACK TO REALITY, ERR, BATTERY.

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NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:IM-CHEMENG-1STSEM-2020-2021

Below is the reaction in an alkaline battery:

𝑍𝑛(𝑠) + 𝑀𝑛𝑂2(𝑠) + 𝐻2 𝑂(𝑙) → 𝑍𝑛𝑂(𝑠) + 𝑀𝑛(𝑂𝐻)2(𝑠)
0 +4 -2 +1 -2 +2 -2 +2 -2 +1

o Zn loses 2 electrons (from 0 to 2) while Mn gains 2 electrons (from 4 to 2). In the battery, Zn and
MnO2 should be physically separated to ensure electron flow so that the reaction will proceed.
o At each electrode, an electrochemical reaction occurs. This is called half-cell reaction. Two types
of half cell reaction:
▪ Oxidation – loss of an electron
▪ Reduction – gain of electron
o Redox reactions – are not only involved in the operation of batteries, but also in the
rusting of iron, browning of foods, and respiration of animals
o Remember that electrons are negative particles so when the ON of a certain element
increases, it means electron is lost. And when ON decreases, electron is gained.
o The element/compound that undergoes oxidation is the reducing agent and the
element/compound that undergoes reduction is the oxidizing agent.

GEROA – Gain Electron/Reduction/Oxidizing Agent

LEORA – Loss Electron/Oxidation/Reducing Agent

NOTE: When in a compound, the oxidizing and reducing agent should not only be the element itself but the
whole compound. Do not include coefficients (numbers before element/compounds).
Examples:

1. 𝒁𝒏(𝑺) + 𝑯+ (𝒂𝒒) → 𝒁𝒏𝟐+

(𝒂𝒒) + 𝑯𝟐 (𝒂𝒒)
0 +1 +2 0

Oxidation/Reducing Agent: Zn (loss 2 electrons)

Reduction/Oxidizing Agent: H+ (gain 1 electron)

2. 𝟐𝑯𝟐 + 𝑶𝟐 → 𝟐𝑯𝟐 𝑶
0 0 +1 -2

Oxidation/Reducing Agent: H2 (loss 1 electron)

Reduction/Oxidizing Agent: O2 (gain 2 electrons)

3. The nickel-cadmium (nicad) battery uses the following redox reaction to generate electricity:
𝑪𝒅(𝒔) + 𝑵𝒊𝑶𝟐(𝑺) + 𝟐𝑯𝟐 𝑶(𝒍) → 𝑪𝒅(𝑶𝑯)𝟐(𝒔) + 𝑵𝒊(𝑶𝑯)𝟐(𝒔)
0 +4 -2 +1 -2 +2 -2 +1 +2 -2 +1

Oxidation/Reducing Agent: Cd (loss 2 electrons)

Reduction/Oxidizing Agent: NiO2 (gain 2 electrons)

4. 𝟐𝑨𝒈𝑵𝑶𝟑 + 𝑪𝒖 → 𝑪𝒖(𝑵𝑶𝟑 )𝟐 + 𝟐𝑨𝒈

+1 +5 -2 0 +2 +5 -2 0

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NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:IM-CHEMENG-1STSEM-2020-2021

Oxidation/Reducing Agent: Cu (loss 2 electrons)

Reduction/Oxidizing Agent: AgNO3 (gain 1 electron)

5. 𝟒𝑵𝑯𝟑 + 𝟑𝑶𝟐 → 𝟐𝑵𝟐 + 𝟔𝑯𝟐 𝑶

-3+1 0 0 +1 -2

Oxidation/Reducing Agent: NH3 (loss 2 electrons)

Reduction/Oxidizing Agent: O2 (gain 1 electron)

VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

In the following reactions, perform the following:

a. Determine the oxidation numbers of each element
b. Determine which element or compound lost/gained electrons

1. 2𝐹𝑒 + 3𝐶𝑙2 → 2𝐹𝑒𝐶𝑙3

2. 2𝐴𝑔𝑁𝑂3 + 𝐶𝑢 → 𝐶𝑢(𝑁𝑂3 )2 + 2𝐴𝑔
3. 2𝐵𝑟 − + 𝐶𝑙2 → 2𝐶𝑙− + 𝐵𝑟2
4. 4𝑁𝐻3 + 3𝑂2 → 2𝑁2 + 6𝐻2 𝑂
5. 𝑍𝑛 + 𝐻𝐶𝑙 → 𝐻2 + 𝑍𝑛𝐶𝑙2

VII. ASSIGNMENT

In the following reactions, perform the following:

a. Determine the oxidation numbers of each element

b. Determine which element or compound lost/gained electrons
c. Determine element/compound that underwent oxidation or the reducing agent
d. Determine the element/compound that underwent reduction or the oxidizing agent

1. 4𝐾𝐶𝑙𝑂3 → 𝐾𝐶𝑙 + 3𝐾𝐶𝑙𝑂4

2. 𝑀𝑔(𝑂𝐻)2 + 𝐻𝐶𝑙 → 𝑀𝑔𝐶𝑙2 + 𝐻2 𝑂
3. 14𝐻 + + 𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7 2− + 6𝐶𝑙 − → 2𝐶𝑟 3+ + 7𝐻2 𝑂 + 3𝐶𝑙2

VIII. REFERENCES

1. Brown, T.L., LeMay Jr., H.E., Bursten, B.E., Murphy, C.J., Woodward, P.M. (2017). Chemistry - The
Central Science, 14th ed., Prentice-Hall International, Inc.
2. Chemical Energy to Electrical Energy (April 2014). Retrieved from
http://thetriplebond.blogspot.com/2014/04/chemical-energy-to-electrical-energy.html
3. Whitten, K.W., Davis, R.E., Peck, M.L. and Stanley, G.G. (2014). Chemistry, 10th ed. Cengage
Learning.
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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.:IM-CHEMENG-1STSEM-2020-2021

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