Redox

Reactions
Introduction to IGCSE
Chemistry
Paper Marks weightage
Paper II ( MCQ paper)
40 MCQs 40 marks 30%
45 min.
Paper IV ( Theory paper)
6 Short-answer and
80 marks 50%
structured questions
1hr. 30 min
Paper VI ( Alternative to
practical)
40 marks 20%
4 Qs
1 hr
Rules to assign Oxidation
Numbers
Oxidation numbers always refer to
single atoms

The oxidation number of an O2, H2, Ne

uncombined element is always 0 Zn
The oxidation number of Hydrogen HCl, H2SO4
is usually +1 Hydrides are an
exception They are -1
The oxidation number of Oxygen is H2O, NO2, et
usually -2 Peroxides are an exception
They are –1 In OF2 oxygen is a +2
Oxidation numbers of monatomic O2-, Zn2+
ions follow the charge of the ion
The sum of oxidation numbers is LiMnO4
zero for a neutral compound. It is SO42-
the charge on a polyatomic ion
Practice Assigning Oxidation
Numbers
Redox
Definition

Reactions in which both

Redox oxidation and reduction
reactions take place at the
Definitio same time.
n
 WHAT IS OXIDATION?
WHAT IS Reduction?
Using the given link in the chat box write what you already know about the
questions appearing above.
https://padlet.com/samanalijafri/dqlamtf9zjxt01os
 Oxidation Reduction

1. Loss of electron 1. Gain of electron

2. Loss of Hydrogen 2. Gain of Hydrogen

3. Gain of Oxygen 3. Loss of Oxygen

Increase in Oxidation number/state Decrease in Oxidation number/state

Comparison through examples
Oxidation Reduction

1. Loss of electron 1. Gain of electron

Comparison through examples
Oxidation Reduction
2. Loss of Hydrogen 2. Gain of Hydrogen
Comparison through examples
Oxidation Reduction
3. Gain of Oxygen 3.Loss of Oxygen
 Comparison through examples
Oxidation Reduction
4. Increase in Oxidation number/state 4. Decrease in Oxidation number/state

Let’s find out the oxidation number of each element in this equation to see what has been oxidised and what is reduced.
Comparison through examples
Oxidation Reduction
4. Increase in Oxidation number/state 4. Decrease in Oxidation number/state
Since in our course we will be
mainly dealing with gain and loss
of electrons so
simple way to remember this
includes the Mnemonic devices
OIL RIG, meaning ‘oxidation is loss’
and ‘reduction is gain.’
Summary
aximum and minimum range of oxidation numbe

Increasing oxidation state Decreasing oxidation state

Loss of electron(s) Gain of electron(s)

7+, 6+, 5+, 4+, 3+, 2+, 1+, 0, 1- , 2- , 3- , 4- , 5- , 6- , 7-
Substance A loses electrons to Substances B. Substance A has
been oxidized.
Substance B gains electrons from Substances A. Substances B
has been reduced.
 Oxidising Agents Reducing Agents
 An oxidising agent, or oxidant,  A reducing agent, or reductant,
gains electrons and is reduced in loses electrons and is oxidised in
a chemical reaction. a chemical reaction.
 Also known as the electron  A reducing agent is oxidised,
acceptor. because it loses electrons in the
 An agent responsible for redox reaction
oxidation.  An agent responsible for
 The oxidising agent is normally in reduction.
one of its higher possible  A reducing agent is typically in
oxidation states because it will one of its lower possible oxidation
gain electrons and be reduced. states, and is known as the
electron donor.
 Oxidising Agents Reducing Agents
Potassium dichromate VI Na > Mg > Al > H2 >Zn> Br- > Mg2+
(orange solution)

Potassium Manganate VII Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)

(purple solution)

Oxygen (O2) Sulfur dioxide, SO2

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) Potassium Iodide
Fluorine (F2), chlorine (Cl2), other
Nascent (atomic) hydrogen
halogens.
Nitric acid (HNO3) and nitrate
Carbon, Carbon monoxide
compounds.
concentrated Sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
Hydrogen sulfide, H2S
 Tests for Oxidising Agents

• Use of a Reducing Agent e.g. aqueous potassium iodide, KI(aq)

• Observation: Colourless solution turns brown.

2I–(aq) => I2(aq) + 2e–

 Tests for Reducing Agents
 Reacting the suspected reducing agent with potassium
manganate(VII) solution, KMnO4 (purple colour), and the colour is
observed to become colourless (Mn2+), the substance is confirmed to
be a reducing agent. KMnO4 is reduced to Mn2+.
 Observation: Colourless solution turns brown.
 KI + KMnO4 + H2SO4 = MnSO4 + K2SO4 + I2 + H2O
Mn7+(aq) => Mn2+(aq) + 2e–

 Also, a solution of potassium dichromate(VI), K 2Cr2O7 (orange in color)

would become greenish (Cr3+) when reacted with a reducing agent.
 Cr2O7-2(aq) + 3SO32-(aq) + 8H+(aq) → 2Cr3+(aq) + 3SO42-(aq) + 4H2O(liq)
 Q. why is nitric acid a strong oxidising agent

 Nitric acid itself undergoes reduction to form different reduction

products like NO, NO2, N2O, etc. These products depend on the acid
concentration and the temperature of the reaction.
 The highest common oxidation state for N in HNO 3 is +5. If N is
reduced to say +4 as in NO2 or +2 in NO, it's charge is reduced and N
is therefore an oxidizing agent for that particular reactions.
 Oxidising properties are due to nascent oxygen which it gives on
decomposition.
 Redox Reaction
in terms of Oxygen Transfer

• Oxidation is the gain of

oxygen.
• Reduction is the loss of
oxygen.
ider the example # 1: Displacement of copper(II) oxide by Ca

• Copper(II) oxide is reduced to become

copper metal.
• Carbon is oxidised to become carbon
dioxide.
Redox in terms of Oxygen Transfer
Consider the example # 2: Displacement of lead(II)
oxide by Zinc

• Zinc is oxidised to become zinc oxide.

• Lead(II) oxide is reduced to become
lead metal.

Redox in terms of Oxygen Transfer

Consider the example # 3: Reaction between
Magnesium and Steam

• Water (steam) is reduced to become

hydrogen gas.
• Magnesium is oxidised to become
magnesium oxide.
Redox in terms of Oxygen Transfer
 Redox Reaction
in terms of Hydrogen Transfer

• Oxidation is the loss of

Hydrogen.
• Reduction is the gain of
Hydrogen.
Consider the example # 1: Hydrogen Sulfide Reacts
with Chlorine

• Hydrogen sulfide is oxidised to become

sulfur.
• Chlorine is reduced to become hydrogen
Chloride.
Redox in terms of Hydrogen Transfer
Consider the example # 2: Ammonia Reacts with
Bromine

• Ammonia loses hydrogen. Ammonia is oxidised to become

nitrogen.
• Bromine gains hydrogen. Bromine is reduced to become
hydrogen bromide.
Redox in terms of Hydrogen Transfer
 Redox Reaction
in terms of Electron Transfer

• Oxidation is the loss of

electron.
• Reduction is the gain of
electron.
xample # 1: Copper Oxide reacts with Magnesium metal

• In CuO, Copper (II) ion gains 2 electrons. Copper ion is reduced to

become Copper atom.
• Magnesium atom loses 2 electrons. Magnesium atom is oxidized to
Magnesium ion (Mg2+).
Oxidation and reduction in terms of electron
xample # 2: Zinc with aqueous Coper (II) Sulfate

• In CuSO4, Copper (II) ion gains 2 electrons. Copper ion is reduced

to become Copper atom.
• Zinc atom loses 2 electrons. Zinc atom is oxidised to Zinc ion (Zn2+).

Oxidation and reduction in terms of electron

 Redox Reaction
in terms of Oxidation State or
Oxidation Number

Oxidation is the Increase in

oxidation state.
Reduction is the decrease in
oxidation state.
ample # 1: Copper displaces Silver from its aqueous solution

 In AgNO3, Silver ion gains 1 electron. Silver Nitrate is reduced to

become Silver atom.
• Its oxidation number decreases to zero. Ag1+ reduced to Ag0
 Oxidation number of copper atom is zero.
• Its oxidation number increases to 2+ Cu0 oxidised to Cu2+
Oxidation and reduction in terms of Oxidation
example # 2: Reduction of Iron(III) oxide to Iron

 Oxidation number of Fe3+ decreases to

Fe0 .
• In this reaction, the iron(III) oxide is
reduced to iron.
 Oxidation number of C2+ increases to C4+
Oxidation and reduction in terms of Oxidation
Redox reactions can be split into reduction and
oxidation half-reactions.
Consider the following example:
Al(s) + Cu2+(aq) → Al3+(aq) + Cu(s)

Al
Is the above
(s) → Al 3+
(aq) + 3e−balanced? Oxidation half-reaction
reaction
Cu2+(aq) + 2e− → Cu (s) Reduction half-reaction

2×[Al(s) → Al3+(aq)+3e−] 2 × oxidation half-reaction

3×[Cu2+(aq)+2e−→Cu(s)] 3 × reduction half-reaction
2Al0 (s) + 3 Cu 2+(aq) → 2 Al3+(aq) + 3 Cu0 (s) Overall reaction

Balancing a simple redox reaction using the half-

Checkpoint # 1
Q. Aluminium metal reacts with Hydrochloric acid to form
Aluminium Chloride(salt) and Hydrogen gas.
What is the balanced form of the following redox
reaction?

Al(s)+H+(aq)→Al3+(aq)+H2​(g)

R. Al(s) + 2H+(aq) → Al3+(aq) + H2​(g)

S. 6H+(aq) +2Al(s) →2Al3+(aq)+ 3H2 (g)

T. Al(s) + H+(aq) + H2​O→ Al3+(aq)+ H2​(g) + OH−(aq)

B. 6H+(aq) +2Al(s) →2Al3+(aq)+ 3H2 (g )
U. Al(s) + 2H+(aq) → Al3+(aq) + H2​(g) + e−
ckpoint #2:
per (II) oxide reacts with hydrogen based on the following equation:

CuO(s) + H2(g) –> Cu(g) + H2O(l)

e the substance that

as been oxidised
has been reduced
is the oxidizing agent
is the reducing agent