Oxidation-Reduction (Redox) Reaction

- A type of chemical reaction that involves a transfer of electrons between

species
- A redox reaction is any chemical reaction in which oxidation number of a
molecule, atom or ion change by gaining or losing an electron.
Note:
- When an oxidation number of an atom is increased, the atom is being
oxidized.
- When an oxidation number of an atom is decreased, the atom is being
reduced.
Mnemonics
OIL- oxidation is loss (of electrons), meaning there is an increase in
oxidation number.
RIG- reduction is gain (of electrons), meaning there is a decrease in
oxidation number.
Balancing Redox Reaction Using Oxidation Number
Change Method
Steps:
1. Assign oxidation numbers to all the atoms in the equation.
2. Identify which atoms are oxidized and are reduced.
3. Use one bracketing line to connect the atoms that undergo oxidation and
another such line to connect those that undergo reduction.
-write the oxidation number change at the midpoint of each line
4. Make the total increase in oxidation number equals to the total decrease in
oxidation by using appropriate coefficients.
5. Finally, make sure the equation is balanced for both atoms and charge.