Oxidation and Reduction

Reactions - Basic Introduction

Chapter 1: Introduction
Oxidation and reduction reactions
Example: Magnesium + oxygen gas -> magnesium oxide
Electrons are transferred in redox reactions
Oxidation state of elements
Magnesium goes from 0 to +2 (oxidized)
Oxygen goes from 0 to -2 (reduced)
Oxidation involves loss of electrons
Reduction involves gain of electrons

Chapter 2: A Half Reaction

Metals give away electrons and become cations
Nonmetals acquire electrons and become anions
Oxidizing agent vs reducing agent
Metals are reducing agents
Nonmetals like oxygen are oxidizing agents

Chapter 3: Find The Oxidation

Substance that loses electrons is oxidized
Substance that gains electrons is reduced
Half reactions with electrons on the right are oxidation half reactions
Half reactions with electrons on the left are reduction half reactions

Chapter 4: Oxidation Of Zinc

Example: Zinc + hydrochloric acid -> hydrogen gas + zinc chloride
Zinc changes from 0 to +2 (oxidized)
:
 Hydrogen changes from +1 to 0 (reduced)
Zinc is the reducing agent
Hydrochloric acid is the oxidizing agent

Chapter 5: State Of Carbon

Example: Methane + oxygen gas -> carbon dioxide + water
Oxygen gas has an oxidation state of 0
Hydrogen bonded to a nonmetal has an oxidation state of +1
Oxygen in compounds has an oxidation state of -2
Oxidation state of carbon in methane is -4
Oxidation state of carbon in carbon dioxide is +4
Methane is oxidized, oxygen gas is reduced
Methane is the reducing agent, oxygen gas is the oxidizing agent

Chapter 6: Single Replacement Reaction

Example: Aluminum + copper chloride -> aluminum chloride + copper
Single replacement reactions are redox reactions
Aluminum changes from 0 to +3 (oxidized)
Copper changes from +2 to 0 (reduced)

Chapter 7: Pure Element Zinc

Pure element on one side and in a compound on the other side indicates a
redox reaction
Example: Zinc + oxygen gas -> zinc oxide
Zinc changes from 0 to +2 (oxidized)
Oxygen changes from 0 to -2 (reduced)

Chapter 8: State Of Magnesium

Oxidation state of magnesium did not change
Still positive 2
Oxidation state of hydrogen did not change
Still positive one
Oxidation state of oxygen did not change
No transfer of electrons
Example of zinc and chlorine
:
 Zinc has a positive two oxidation state
Chlorine has a negative one oxidation state
Zinc is being oxidized
Transfer of electrons
Redox reaction
Two decomposition reactions
Mercury oxide decomposes into mercury and oxygen gas
Calcium carbonate decomposes into calcium oxide and carbon
dioxide gas
Which decomposition reaction is a redox reaction?
First example is a redox reaction
Oxygen as a pure element on the right side
Same element is within a compound
Second example is not a redox reaction
No pure elements, only compounds

Chapter 9: Double Replacement Reaction

Quick way to tell if it's a redox reaction
List of reactions to determine if they are redox or not
First example is a redox reaction
Combustion reaction
Pure element on one side, same element inside a compound
Second example is not a redox reaction
No pure elements
Acid-based neutralization reactions are not redox
Double replacement reactions are never redox reactions
Single replacement reactions are redox reactions
Third example is not a redox reaction
Combination reaction
No pure elements
Last example is a double replacement reaction
Precipitation reaction
Four compounds in the reaction

Chapter 10: Conclusion

Review of redox reactions
:
 Combustion reactions are redox reactions
Single replacement reactions are redox reactions
Synthesis and combination reactions can be redox or not
Decomposition reactions can be redox or not
Double replacement reactions are never redox reactions
Quick way to tell if it's a redox reaction
Pure element on one side, same element within a compound on the
other side
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