5.2.3 Redox And Electrode Potentials

Question 1

What is an oxidising agent?

Answer 1

Oxidising agents are substances that oxidise other species, gain electrons and are themselves reduced

Question 2

What is a reducing agent?

Answer 2

Reducing agents are substances that reduce other species, lose electrons and are themselves oxidised

Question 3

What is oxidation?

Answer 3

The loss of electrons. increase of oxidation number

Question 4

What is reduction?

Answer 4

The gain of electrons and decrease in oxidation number

Question 5

What are electrochemical cells?

Answer 5

• Cells that control electron transfer and produce electrical energy
• Forms the basis of cells and batteries
• One electrochemical cell of formed of 2 half cells

Question 6

What are the characteristics of a Metal-ion half cell?

Answer 6

• A half cell is made up of 1 element in two different oxidation states
• (a simple one being a metal electrode being placed in a solution of (one type) of
  its own ions)
  -An equilibrium exists on the surface of the metal and the metal ions in solution
  e.g. Cu2+(aq) ⇌ Cu(s)

Question 7

What are the characteristics of ion-ion half cells?

Answer 7

Half cells where 2 ions of the same element in different oxidation states are present in solution, but since you can only half 2 different oxidation states, an inert electrode it used (platinum, Pt)