Chemistry 1 Module

Oxidation Reduction Reactions

Target:
After completing this module, you are expected to:

• Identify the oxidation number of chemical species

• Identify the oxidized and reduced substance in a redox reaction

Hook:
We have learned that metals tend to lose electrons and non metals tend to gain electrons. We have
also learned main types of reactions namely, single displacement, double displacement , synthesis,
decomposition combustion and neutralization reactions in the previous quarter. In this lesson, we will
learn another type of reaction, the oxidation-reduction reaction or redox reactions.

Have you observed some fruits and vegetables turn brown few moments after cutting, seen videos or
demonstrations of light bulbs power by lemons, or wonder how batteries power toys and other electric
equipment? These are just a few of the many applications of redox reactions.

Ignite:
If we may recall, Every element on the Periodic Table is electrically neutral. This means that they have
equal numbers of protons and electrons. The atomic number determines how many protons/electrons
an element has. Electrons are found outside the nucleus and each electron contributes a 1- charge to
the element. Protons are found in the nucleus and each proton contributes a 1+ charge to the element.
See Figure below for Aluminum.

Aluminum = 13 protons + 13
electrons
Al = 13 + (-13)
=0

Non-metals tend to gain electrons. Let’s see what affect that has on the overall charge of the atom.
Initially, for a chlorine atom, there are 17 electrons and 17 protons causing the element to be neutral.

Then, 1 more electron is gained to get 8 valence electrons... What overall effect does this have on the
charge?

After adding an electron, there is 1 more negative than positives, so the charge becomes 1- when an
electron is added.

Metals tend to lose electrons. Let’s see what affect that has on the overall charge of the atom.

Initially there are 13 electrons and 13 protons causing the element to be neutral. Then, 3 electrons are
removed to get 8 valence electrons... What overall effect does this have on the charge?

After removing 3 electrons, there are 3 more positives than negatives, so the charge becomes 3+ when
three electrons are removed.

What are redox reactions?

An oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction is a type of chemical reaction that involves a transfer of

electrons between two species. One species will give away electrons (oxidation) and also known as the
reducing agent. Another species must take electrons (reduction) which is also known as oxidizing agent
since it causes the other species to be oxidized. A redox reaction must have reduction and oxidation;
one cannot occur without the other.

Lithium gives away 1 proton in which chloride accepts

 RECALL

• All atoms want to have a stable electron configuration with 8

valence electrons. The group # determines how many valence
electrons an element has.

• In order to obtain an octet, metals tend to lose electrons.

• Likewise, non-metals tend to gain electrons to obtain an octet.

So how are oxidation numbers determined?

To determine oxidation numbers, there are rules that need to be followed.

Rules for assigning oxidation numbers

1. ALL ELEMENTS ARE ZERO.

2. CHARGES OF IONS ARE THEIR OXIDATION NUMBERS.

3. ALL COMPOUNDS WITHOUT A NET CHARGE ARE ZERO.

4. HYDROGEN IS ALMOST ALWAYS 1+ WHEN FOUND IN A COMPOUND ( INCLUDING

ELEMENTS IN GROUP 1).

5. OXYGEN IS ALMOST ALWAYS 2- WHEN FOUND IN A COMPOUND (INCLUDING OTHER

MEMBERS OF THE SAME GROUP IN THE PERIODIC TABLE) .

6. IF A COMPOUND HAS A NET CHARGE, THE SUM OF ITS ATOMS’ CHARGES MUST EQUAL THE
NET CHARGE.

1. Charges of elements are zero.

2. Charges of ions are their oxidation numbers.

3. All compounds without a net charge are zero.

4. Hydrogen is almost always 1+

5. Oxygen is almost always 2- when found in a compound.

Recall Rule number 3, All compounds without a net charge are zero. We can apply this rule along with
rules 4 and 5 and our expected oxidation numbers from the periodic table to assign oxidation numbers
to elements other than oxygen and hydrogen that are found in compounds

Using this knowledge, Zn must be 2+ since Cl will have -1 since it is in group 7A and would need 1
electron to reach a stable configuration and reach an octet.

6. If a compound has a net charge, the sum of its atoms’ charges must equal the net charge. We can
apply this rule along with rules 4 and 5 and our expected oxidation numbers from the periodic table to
assign oxidation numbers to elements other than oxygen and hydrogen that are found in compounds

According to rule number 5, oxidation # is 2- , using this knowledge, S must be 2+.

Now let’s Practice:

Why are oxidation numbers important?

They help us determine which chemical species is oxidized and which chemical species is reduced.

Remember:

OILRIG. Oxidation Is Losing electrons Reduction Is Gaining.

In an Oxidation, the charge increases while in Reduction, the charge decreases.

In the figure above, which element is oxidized and which is reduced?

The Zn charge is from zero to 2+, thus has lost 2 electrons making its charge 2+ therefore Zn is oxidized.

The charge of H is from 1+ to zero, thus have gained 1 electron and therefore is reduced in the reaction.
In the reaction of Zinc with oxygen gas,

TRY THIS!!

Assign oxidation #’s and determine which chemical species is oxidized and which chemical species is
reduced.

To understand the concept further here a link to the powerpoint presentation and a video lecture for to
topic above.

https://new.edmodo.com/view-office-online/edit/1303916879/pptx/PowerPoint_Teacher_Key

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rtJdjas-mY

NAVIGATE!
To check on your understanding about the concept, answer Oxidation-Reduction practice uploaded in
our Edmodo class.
For easier access, click the link below

https://new.edmodo.com/view-office-online/edit/1303881404/docx/Oxidation_Reduction_Practice

KNOT
In summary, an oxidation-reduction reaction is any chemical reaction in which the oxidation number of
a molecule, atom, or ion changes by gaining or losing an electron. An oxidized species always comes
with another species the is reduced (in some cases, a species is both oxidized and reduced at the same
time). The species which loses electron/s in the reaction is said to be oxidized, also known as the
reducing agent (causes the other to be reduced) and the species that has gained the electron/s is said to
be reduced which is also known as the oxidizing agent.Redox reactions are common and vital to some of
the basic functions of life, including photosynthesis, respiration, combustion, and corrosion or rusting.

Please answer the assessment on the link below and submit the screenshot of your test result through
email or our Edmodo class.

https://quizizz.com/join/quiz/5b5e3bcddc09130019ee5596/start?from=soloLinkShare