Oxidising And Reducing Agents Flashcards
What is reduction?
The gain of electrons by a reactant in any reaction
What is oxidation?
The loss of electrons by a reactant in any reaction
When does reduction and oxidation take place in a redox reaction?
At the same time
What is an oxidising agent?
Is an oxidising agent oxidised or reduced?
Do they become more negative or positive?
A substance that accepts electrons
An oxidising agent oxidises something else and itself is reduced
Tend to become more negative
What is a reducing agent?
Is a reducing agent oxidised or reduced?
Does it become more negative or more positive?
As substance that donates electrons
Reduces something else and itself is oxidised
Tend to become more positive
Do elements with low electronegativities act as reducing or oxidising agents?
Reducing agents as they tend to form ions by losing electrons
Example- metals
Do elements with high electronegativities act as reducing or oxidising agents?
Oxidising agents as they tend to form ions by gaining electrons
Example-non-metals
What group are the strongest reducing agents in?
Group 1(top right of electrochemical series in data booklet)
What group are the strongest oxidising agents in?
Group 7(bottom left of electrochemical series in data booklet)
Which of the following is a redox reaction?
A- Mg+2HCl->MgCl2+H2
B-MgO+2HCl->MgCl2+H2O
C-MgCO3+2HCl->MgCl2+2H2O
D-Mg(OH)2+2HCl->MgCl2+2H2O
A- always look for the equation where metal is changing from eleventh to compound/vice versa. As for a metal to form a compound it has to form ions, in other words it has to oxidise. So the only suitable answer is A as magnesium is oxidised to form Mg2+ ions and hydrogen ions are being reduced to form hydrogen gas
What type of agents are permanganate(MnO4-)(4 bottom - top) and dichromate ion(Cr2O72-) (7 bottom 2- top)
Oxidising agents
What type of agent is the gas carbon monoxide(CO)?
Reducing agent
What can oxidising agents be used as a chemical to do? (Everyday uses)
Bleach clothes, hair as they break down coloured compounds
They can also kill fungi and bacteria and inactivate viruses
