AQA AS Chemistry Unit 2: Redox Reactions

Chemistry Unit 2: Redox Reactions

Definitions

Redox: Reaction where both reduction and oxidation take place

Oxidation: The gain of oxygen, loss of hydrogen and loss of electrons

Reduction: The loss of oxygen, gain of hydrogen and gain of electrons

Oxidising Agent: Causes oxidation, causes gain of oxygen and loss of hydrogen and electrons. The agent itself is reduced in the reaction

Reducing Agent: Causes reduction, causes loss of oxygen and gain of hydrogen and electrons. The agent itself is oxidised in the reaction

Oxidation and Reduction

• Half equations are used to show the gain or loss of electrons

• In a reaction if an ion takes no part in the actual reaction it is known as a spectator ion

• In a chemical reaction if one species is oxidised another must be reduced

Oxidising and Reducing Agents

• Reducing agents give away electrons so are electron donors

• Oxidising agents accept electrons

• Reducing agents causes an increase in oxidation number thus their oxidation number decreases

• Oxidising…