Oxidation and Reduction (Redox) |
Key Concepts
- Oxidation: loss of electrons
- Reduction: gain of electrons
- Oxidant (oxidising agent): causes another species to be oxidised
- Oxidant: gains electrons (oxidant is reduced)
- Reductant (Reducing Agent): causes another species to be reduced
- Reductant: loses electrons (reductant is oxidised)
- Redox Reactions: one species (reductant) provides electrons for another species (oxidant).
Flash Tutorial
Examples
Oxidation : Na -----> Na+ + e
- Sodium atom loses an electron to produce a positively charged sodium ion (cation)
- Sodium has been oxidised.
Reduction : F + e -----> F-
- Fluorine atom gains an electron to form the negatively charged fluoride ion (anion)
- Fluorine has been reduced.
REDOX (electron transfer) Reaction : Na + F -----> Na+ + F-
- An electron has been transferred from the sodium atom to the flourine atom.
- Sodium has lost an electron, it has been oxidised
- Sodium is the reductant as it has caused the fluorine to be reduced to the fluoride ion.
- Fluorine has gained an electron, it has been reduced.
- Fluorine is the oxidant as it has caused the sodium to be oxidised to the sodium ion.
Uses of REDOX Reactions
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