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OXIDATION
• It results in the increase of the oxidation
number of an atom or ion.
• Ionic states become more positive.
1. Mg ----> Mg2+ + 2 e-

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REDUCTION
• Reduction results in the decrease of the
oxidation number of an atom or ion.
• Ionic states become more negative.

REDUCING AGENT OXIDISING AGENT

Specie that losses e- is Specie that gains e- is

said to be oxidised and said to be reduced and
is known as the is known as the
reducing agent. oxidising agent.

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1. Areas of higher oxygen availability tends towards

oxidized state. High pE0
2. Areas of lower oxygen availability tends towards
reduced state. Low pE0

Aerobic Condition Anaerobic Condition

Oxidation take place Reduction take place

High pE0 (Redox Potential) Low pE0 (Redox Potential)

Low concentration of electron High concentration of electron

Tendency to accept e- Tendency to donate e-

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REDOX POTENTIAL
Many important oxidation and reduction reactions take place in
aquatic systems, redox potential measures the tendency of a
substance to accept or donate electrons.
• Just as we measure the activity of the hydrogen ion (a proton)
by pH
pH = -log[H + ]
• We measure the activity of electrons as pE (redox potential)
pE = -log[e - ]
Redox reactions are standardized against the redox reaction of
hydrogen
H 2 ↔ 2 H + + 2 e-

Standard Redox Potential

• pE ------> pE0 - pH

20.75