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CHAPTER 1: REDOX EQUILIBRIUM
1.1 Oxidation & Reduction
(i) Redox reaction is a chemical reaction where oxidation
and reduction occur simultaneously.
(ii) Redox reaction can be defined as follows:
Oxidation Reduction
Gains oxygen Loses oxygen
Loses hydrogen Gains hydrogen
Loses electron Gains electron
Oxidation number increase Oxidation number reduces
(iii) Reducing agent is a substance that reduces another
substance and itself
undergoes oxidation in a reaction.
(iv) Oxidizing agent is a substance that oxidizes another
substance and itself
undergoes reduction in a reaction.
(v) Both reducing agents and oxidizing agents refers to the
reactants, not the products.
LEARN THROUGH EXERCISE
Identify the substance that undergoes oxidation and reduction and
substance that act oxidizing and reducing agents.
(a) Redox reactions based on the gain or loss of oxygen.
1. H2(g) + CuO(g) → H2O(l) + Cu (s)
2. Fe2O3(s) + 3CO(g) → 2Fe(s) + CO2(g)
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3. Mg(s) + CuO(s) → MgO(s) + Cu(s)
(b) Redox reactions based on the gain or loss of hydrogen.
1. 2NH3(g) + Br2(g) → N2(g) + 6HBr(g)
2. H2S(g) + Cl2(g) → S(s) + 2HCl(g)
3. 3CuO(s) + NH3(g) → 3Cu(s) + N2(g) + 3H2O(l)
(c) Redox reactions based on the gain or loss of electron.
1. 2Na(s) + Cl2(g) → 2NaCl(s)
Oxidation half reaction:
Reduction half reaction:
Overall ionic equation:
2. Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s)
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Oxidation half reaction:
Reduction half reaction:
Overall ionic equation:
(d) Redox reactions based on the changes if oxidation number.
Oxidation: Oxidation number of an element increases.
Reduction: Oxidation number of an element decreases.
1. 4Na(s) + O2(g) → 2Na2O(s)
2. Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + H2(g)
3. C(s) + O2(g) → CO2(g)
4. 2HI(aq) + Br2(aq) → 2HBr(aq) + I2(s)
Oxidation number
The charge of the element in a compound.
Also known as oxidation state.
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Rule 1 The oxidation number of neutral atoms/molecules is zero.
Examples:
Atom/ Z M C H Cl N
Molecule n g u 2 2 2
Oxidation
number
Rule 2 The oxidation number of a monoatomic ion is equal to its
charge.
Examples:
Ion K+ Mg2 Al3+ O2- Cl-
+
Oxidation
number
Rule 3 The sum of oxidation numbers of all elements in a
compound is equal to zero.
Examples:
(a) CO2 (b)
ZnCl2
= (+4) + 2(-2) =
(+2) + 2(-2)
=0 =0
Determine the oxidation number of nitrogen in the
following compounds.
(i) NH3 (ii) KNO3
Rule 4 The sum of oxidation numbers of all elements in a
polyatomic ion is
equal to its charge.
Determine the oxidation number of N in NH4+
Determine the oxidation number of S in SO42-
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Determine the oxidation number of Mn in MnO4-
Determine the oxidation number of S in S2O32-
Rule 5 The oxidation number of all elements in Group 1 is +1.
Rule 6 The oxidation number of all elements in Group 2 is +2.
Rule 7 The oxidation number of all elements in Group 13 is +3.
Rule 8 The oxidation number of all elements in Group 17 is -1.
Rule 9 The oxidation number of hydrogen in a compound is
normally +1 except in metal hydrides which is -1.
Rule 10 The oxidation number of oxygen in a compound is
normally -2, except in peroxides which is -1 and +2 when
oxygen combined with F
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Displacement of Metal from its Salt Solution
A more electropositive metal will displace a less electropositive
metal from its salt solution.
Electropositivity is the tendency of atoms to release electrons
to form cations.
Example of displacement reaction:
Metal Solution Equations involved and observation
Cu Zn2+
Zn Cu2+
Fe Ag+
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Displacement of Halogen from its Halide Solution
Electronegativity is the ability of atoms to accept electrons to form
anions.
A more electronegative halogen will displace a less electronegative
halogen from its halide solution.
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