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Redox Reactions 1b
Redox Reactions 1b
Chemistry Tutorial
REDOX REACTIONS
by
Dr John G Wright
Redox Reactions
The tutorials are divided into five main sections, each
covering a separate topic concerning redox reactions, plus
a problems section.
Oxidation Numbers
This section is about calculating the oxidation state or
oxidation number of an element in a compound. It uses a set
of rules which require little or no previous knowledge of the
chemical being examined. (The oxidation number is similar to
the valency of the element but has a + or - sign.)
Oxidation Numbers
First, the definition.
Oxidation Numbers
Oxidation Numbers
Oxidation Numbers
But where do you start? We find that some atoms always have
the same oxidation number in their compounds or ions. As
stated earlier, the first rules overrule the later rules.
Oxidation Numbers
Lets look at these rules in action in a simple problem.
Oxidation Numbers
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Oxidation Numbers
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Oxidation numbers
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Oxidation Numbers
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phosphorus(V) oxydichlorofluoride
sodium dihydrogenphosphate(III)
K2Cr2O7
potassium dichromate(VI)
Oxidation numbers
LiNO3
NaNO2
lithium nitrate(V),
sodium nitrate(III),
Oxidation Numbers
An important use of oxidation numbers is in the recognition of
oxidation and reduction. They let us quickly see when an
element has gained or lost electrons, and hence been oxidised
or reduced. If the oxidation number becomes more positive,
oxidation has occurred, becoming more negative means that
reduction has occurred.
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Oxidation Numbers
Consider a reaction where the following change occurs (the
other reagents are not important at this stage).
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Oxidation Numbers
Here are a few more examples showing the use of oxidation
numbers to discover whether oxidation or reduction occurs.
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Mn = +6
Cl = +5
Cl = -1
i.e Mn has lost electrons and been oxidised, while
Cl has gained electrons and been reduced.
4FeCO3 + O2 2Fe2O3 + 4CO2
Fe = +2
Fe = +3
O=0
O = -2
C = +4
C = +4
i.e. Fe has lost electrons and been oxidised, while the
oxygen has gained electrons and been reduced. The carbon hasnt
changed. Check these oxidation numbers for yourself.
The End
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