Electrochemistry

Question 1

What is oxidation?

Answer 1

loss of e-

Question 2

What is reduction?

Answer 2

gain of e-

Question 3

What is a reducing agent?

Answer 3

a substance that causes another substance to reduce

Question 4

What is an oxidizing agent?

Answer 4

a substance that causes another substance to oxidize

Question 5

How do we assign oxidation numbers?

Answer 5

• sum of all ox. states in a molecule/ion must = overall charge of the molecule/ion
• pure element always 0
• fluorine -1, other halogens typically -1
• group 1 = +1, group 2 = +2
• hydrogen = +1 UNLESS in a compound with a metal or born. Then its -1
• O = -2 EXCEPT in peroxides (O–O) which = -1
• In metal+non-metal compounds, metal typically +, non-metal typically -

Question 6

If I asked you to identify the reducing agent, how would you do that?

Answer 6

Find the element that causes another to reduce. Generally the reducing agent is being oxidized itself, so fins the substance losing electrons from LHS to RHS of the reaction.

Question 7

Describe how to balance redox reactions

Answer 7

1) identify events being oxidized and reduced. Write OXIDATION AND REDUCTION 1/2 REACTIONS.