Redox Reactions

Oxidation can mean the addition of oxygen (or a reaction with it), and reduction can be the removal of oxygen - this resource will explain oxidation and reduction in terms of electrons. A loss of electrons is called oxidation and the gain of electrons is called reduction. A way to remeber this is through the mnemonic OIL RIG - Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain. Reduction and oxidation happen at the same time, hence the term REDOX.

• Iron atoms are oxidised to Fe2+ ions when they react with dilute acid : Fe + 2H+ ---> Fe2+ + H2
• The iron atoms lose electrons. They're oxidised by the hydrogen ions : Fe - 2e ---> Fe2+
• The hydrogen ions gain electrons. They're reduced by the iron atoms : 2H+ + 2e- ---> H2

Displacement reactions involve one metal kicking another one out…