3.1.7 Oxidation, reduction and redox equations

• An oxidation state is the number of electrons needed to be gained or lost by an atom in a compound
• In a compound the sum of the oxidation states is zero

  In an ion the sum of the oxidation states equals the charge
• Redox means there is a species being reduced and the other is being oxidised
• Oxidation is the loss of electrons

  Reduction is the gain of electrons

  Oxidising agents are electron acceptors

  Reducing agents are electron donators
• Any ion that does not change in oxidation States are called spectator ions