Redox

• Oxidation is:

  • addition of oxygen
  • loss of hydrogen
  • loss of electrons
  • increase in oxidation number
• Reduction is:

  • loss of oxygen
  • gain of hydrogen
  • addition of electrons
  • decrease in oxidation number
• Oxidation is the loss of electrons
• Reduction is the gain of electrons
• The oxidising agent is the species that accepts electrons
• The reducing agent is a species that donated electrons
• In an oxidation half equation, the electrons always go to the right hand side of the equation
• In reduction half equation the electrons always go on the left hand side of the equation
• Disproportionation is when an element is oxidised and reduced in the same reaction