Redox reactions

"Redox is short for reduction-oxidation". In every redox reaction something is oxidised and something else is reduced.

Oxidation is the loss of electrons whilst reduction is the gain of electrons. We can remember this via oil rig. 

The diagram above is of table salt. Its scientific name is Sodium Chloride (NaCl). This can be made in labs using Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) and Hydrochloric acid (HCl). There are 2 simple half equations of Sodium and Chlorine as shown below.

Cl + e- --> Cl-

Na --> Na+ + e-

Sodium has lost 1 electron. This means it has been oxidised. Chlorine however has gained an electron, thus meaning it has been reduced.

 Simple, Redox is as long as you can work out oxidation states.

Oxidation states are simply how many electrons are lost/ gained in a compound. There are some bog standard oxidation numbers called Standards. Some of the standards are as follows:

• All elements have an oxidation number of 0 (they haven't lossed…