Lower Shell – Redox ETAC – November 2018

Redox
Chemistry
Introduction Booklet

1
Lower Shell – Redox ETAC – November 2018

2
Lower Shell – Redox ETAC – November 2018

Chemical Equations
In order to fully understand the processes involved in a redox reaction, it is first vital that
you have an understanding of how to write and balance simple chemical equations.

You must learn all of the reactions with acids and be able to reel them off quickly and
accurately when asked in an exam question!

Have a go at the following set of problems before moving on to the main topic.

Formulae
Write the chemical formulae for the following ions. Don’t forget about charges.

Hydroxide Hydrogen carbonate

Sulphate Nitrate

Carbonate Sulphite

Ammonium Magnesium

Oxide Phosphate

Write the chemical formulae for the following compounds.

Sodium
Sulphuric acid
hydroxide
Magnesium
Ammonium bromide
carbonate

Nitric acid Calcium oxide

Ammonium
Sodium oxide
carbonate

Barium chloride Aluminium phosphate

3
Lower Shell – Redox ETAC – November 2018

Balancing Coefficients

Balance the following chemical equations.

1. Mg + HCl  MgCl2 + H2

2. Al + Br2  AlBr3

3. Zn + HCl  ZnCl2 + H2

4. Na2O + H2O  NaOH

5. Mg + CO2  C + MgO

6. CuO + HCl  CuCl2 + H2O

7. PbO + C  CO2 + Pb

8. CaCl2 + NaOH  NaCl + Ca(OH)2

9. Mg + O2  MgO

10. Li + O2  Li2O

11. H2O  O2 + H2

12. NaOH + H2SO4  Na2SO4 + H2O

13. MgO + HNO3  Mg(NO3)2 + H2O

14. CaCO3 + HCl  CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O

15. FeCl2 + Cl2  FeCl3

4
Lower Shell – Redox ETAC – November 2018

Full Equations
Complete the following word equations and then convert them into balanced chemical
equations. [Hydrogencarbonates behave in the same way as carbonates]

1. Copper(II) oxide + Sulphuric acid →

2. Calcium carbonate + Nitric acid →

3. Magnesium metal + Hydrochloric acid →

4. Sodium hydroxide + Nitric acid →

5. Aluminium oxide + Hydrochloric acid →

6. Zinc metal + Sulphuric acid →

7. Calcium hydroxide + Nitric acid →

8. Barium carbonate + Hydrochloric acid →

9. Sodium hydrogencarbonate + Sulphuric acid →

10. Calcium hydrogencarbonate + Hydrochloric acid →

5
Lower Shell – Redox ETAC – November 2018

Redox Definitions
In terms of Oxygen
The first definition of redox was in terms of gain or loss of oxygen during a reaction. If a
metal gains oxygen then it is said to have been oxidised, and conversely, if it loses oxygen
then it has been reduced.

This definition, whilst useful in many cases, doesn’t account for the vast majority of
chemical reactions that don’t include oxygen. In order to account for these we need to
change our definition slightly.

We can use experiments which involve the reactions of elements such as copper, iron and
phosphorous, with air in order to determine the percentage by volume of oxygen in the air.

Answer the questions that follow the diagram.

The apparatus shown above, was used to estimate the proportion of oxygen in the
atmosphere. A volume of dry air (200cm3) was passed backwards and forwards over heated
copper until no further change in volume took place. The apparatus was then allowed to
cool down to room temperature and the final volume reading was then taken. Some typical
results are shown below.

Volume of gas before = 200 cm3 Volume of gas after = 157 cm3

During the experiment the copper slowly turned black.

6
Lower Shell – Redox ETAC – November 2018

Practice Questions
1. Why was the apparatus allowed to cool back to room temperature before the final
volume reading was taken?

2.
a) Using the information given above, calculate the volume reduction which has taken
place.

b) Calculate the percentage reduction in volume.

3. Explain briefly why there is a change in volume.

4. What observation given above supports your explanation in c? Write a balanced

chemical equation for any reaction which has occurred.

5. Give the name of the main residual gas at the end of the experiment.

6. Would you expect the copper to have increased or decreased in mass during the
experiment? Explain your answer.

7
Lower Shell – Redox ETAC – November 2018

In terms of OILRIG
A more useful definition of redox is in terms of the gain or loss of electrons during a
reaction. If a species (molecule, compound etc.) loses electrons during a reaction, then it is
said to have been oxidised. Conversely, if it gains electrons then it is said to have been
reduced.

This is summed up by the acronym OILRIG – Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain (of
electrons).

The exchange of electrons between reactants in a chemical reaction is perhaps best

summarised by the following diagram.

Remember: All metals will lose electrons during a reaction, whilst non-metals will gain
electrons. The electrons transfer from the metal to the non-metal.

e.g. 2Na + Cl2  2NaCl (NaCl contains Na+ ions and Cl- ions)

8
Lower Shell – Redox ETAC – November 2018

Using the information above, and any other notes you may have, answer the following
questions.

1.
a) List the following metals in order of decreasing reactivity: aluminium, copper, iron,
sodium:
[1]

b) Some magnesium powder was mixed with some copper (II) oxide and heated
strongly. There was a vigorous reaction, producing lots of sparks and a bright flash of
light.

(i) Name the products of the reaction

[2]

(ii) Write a balanced symbol equation for the reaction

[2]

(iii) Which substance in the reaction has been reduced?

[1]

(iv) Which substance is the oxidising agent?

[1]

9
Lower Shell – Redox ETAC – November 2018

c) If a mixture of zinc powder and cobalt (II) oxide is heated the following reaction
occurs:

(i) Which metal is higher in the reactivity series?

[1]

(ii) The zinc can be described as a reducing agent. Using this example, explain what
is meant by the term reducing agent.
[2]

(iii) Which substance in this reaction has been oxidised?

[1]

d) Aluminium, chromium and manganese are all moderately reactive metals. Use the
following information to arrange them in the correct order of reactivity, starting with
the most reactive one.
[1]

 Chromium is manufactured by heating chromium (III) oxide with aluminium.

 If manganese is heated with aluminium oxide there is no reaction.
 If manganese is heated with chromium (III) oxide, chromium is produced.

10
Lower Shell – Redox ETAC – November 2018

2. Study the following equations and, in each case, decide whether the substance in bold
type has been oxidised or reduced. Explain your choice in terms of either oxygen
transfer or electron transfer as appropriate.
[8]
a) Zn(s) + CuO(s) → ZnO(s) + Cu(s)

b) Fe2O3(s) + 3C(s) → 2Fe(s) + 3CO(g)

c) Mg(s) + Zn2+(s) → Mg2+(s) + Zn(s)

d) Zn(s) + Cu2+(s) → Zn2+(s) + Cu(s)

11
Lower Shell – Redox ETAC – November 2018

Periodic Table of the Chemical Elements

12