Redox Reactions

Definition:
Redox reactions are chemical reactions involving the transfer of electrons between
two species. An oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction is a type of chemical reaction
that involves a transfer of electrons between two species.
Oxidation is the loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state by a molecule,
atom, or ion.
Reduction is the gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation state by a molecule,
atom, or ion.

Oxidation Numbers

The oxidation number is a measure of the degree of oxidation of an atom in a

substance. It can be positive, negative, or zero.
Rules for assigning oxidation numbers:

The oxidation number of a free element is always 0.

The oxidation number of a monatomic ion equals the charge of the ion.
Oxygen usually has an oxidation number of -2, except in peroxides.
Hydrogen has an oxidation number of +1 when bonded to non-metals, and -1 when
bonded to metals.

Balancing Redox Reactions

To balance redox reactions, we use the half-reaction method where the oxidation and
reduction reactions are balanced separately and then combined to form the balanced
redox equation.

Steps:

Write down the unbalanced equation (‘skeleton equation’) of the chemical reaction.
Separate the reaction into the oxidation half-reaction and reduction half-reaction.
Balance each half-reaction both atomically and electronically.
Equalize the number of electrons transferred for both reactions.
Add the half-reactions together and cancel out common terms.

Examples
Combustion Reaction:
CH4+2O2→CO2+2H2O
In this reaction, methane (CH₄) is oxidized to carbon dioxide (CO₂) and oxygen (O₂)
is reduced to water (H₂O).
Displacement Reaction:
Zn+CuSO4→ZnSO4+Cu
Zinc (Zn) displaces copper (Cu) from copper sulfate (CuSO₄) because zinc is more
reactive. Zinc is oxidized and copper is reduced.

Applications

Redox reactions are fundamental to the processes of battery operation and

electrochemistry.
They are also essential in biological systems, such as cellular respiration and
photosynthesis.
Remember, in redox reactions, there’s always one species that gets oxidized and
another that gets reduced. It’s all about the flow of electrons!