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General Chemistry: Redox Reactions and Oxidation States

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Terms in this set (20)

  • What is a double replacement reaction?
    A reaction where two compounds swap cations/anions, e.g., AB + CD → CB + AD.
  • What is a redox reaction?
    A reaction involving the transfer of electrons between substances, changing their oxidation states.
  • How is oxidation number defined?
    The charge an atom would have if electrons were assigned to the more electronegative atom in a bond.
  • What is the oxidation number of free elements?
    Zero, e.g., Na, O2, Cl2.
  • What is the oxidation number of a monatomic ion?
    Equal to the charge of the ion, e.g., Na+ is +1, Cl- is -1.
  • What is the oxidation number of oxygen in most compounds?
    -2, except in peroxides where it is -1.
  • What is the oxidation number of hydrogen in most compounds?
    +1 when bonded to nonmetals, -1 when bonded to metals.
  • How do you determine the oxidation number of an atom in a compound?
    Assign based on known rules and ensure the sum of oxidation numbers equals the overall charge.
  • What is the oxidation number of fluorine in compounds?
    -1 in all compounds.
  • What is the oxidation number of alkali metals in compounds?
    +1.
  • What is the oxidation number of alkaline earth metals in compounds?
    +2.
  • What is the oxidation number of halogens in compounds?
    Usually -1, except when bonded to oxygen or other halogens.
  • What is the oxidation number of a neutral compound?
    The sum of all oxidation numbers is zero.
  • What is the oxidation number of a polyatomic ion?
    The sum of oxidation numbers equals the charge of the ion.
  • What is oxidation in terms of electron transfer?
    Loss of electrons.
  • What is reduction in terms of electron transfer?
    Gain of electrons.
  • What is the oxidizing agent in a redox reaction?
    The substance that gains electrons and is reduced.
  • What is the reducing agent in a redox reaction?
    The substance that loses electrons and is oxidized.
  • How can you identify oxidation and reduction in a reaction?
    By tracking changes in oxidation numbers of elements.
  • What is the general form of a redox reaction?
    Oxidation half-reaction + Reduction half-reaction.