Oxidation and Reduction Flashcards
What is oxidation in terms of electrons and oxygen?
The gain of oxygen or the loss of an electron.
What is a reducing agent?
An element that causes another element to gain an electron or lose oxygen.
What is reduction in terms of electrons and oxygen?
The loss of oxygen or the gain of an electron.
What happens when something is oxidised?
Its oxidation state (number) increases.
What happens when something is reduced?
Its oxidation state (number) decreases.
What can we use to work out what has been reduced and oxidised in a reaction?
Oxidation states.
What are balanced equations also called?
Stoichiometric equations.
What must be equal in redox reaction?
The number of electrons lost to the number of electrons gained.
What can we use to help us balance redox equations?
The number of electrons lost and gained must equal the same so changing the n.o electrons to equal each other will balance it.
