6.4.1

Redox Reactions

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Redox Reactions

Redox reactions involve a reduction reaction (one reactant gains electrons) and an oxidation reaction (one reactant loses electrons). For example:

Illustrative background for Magnesium + hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + hydrogenIllustrative background for Magnesium + hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + hydrogen ?? "content

Magnesium + hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + hydrogen

  • Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)
  • Mg(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) → Mg2+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) + H2(g)
Illustrative background for MagnesiumIllustrative background for Magnesium ?? "content

Magnesium

  • Magnesium atoms are oxidised (loses electrons) to become Mg2+ ions.
Illustrative background for ChlorideIllustrative background for Chloride ?? "content

Chloride

  • Cl- ions are unchanged.
  • They are spectator ions and aren't included in the ionic equation.
Illustrative background for HydrogenIllustrative background for Hydrogen ?? "content

Hydrogen

  • H+ ions are reduced (gains electrons) to become hydrogen atoms.
  • The atoms join together to form H2(g).

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Atoms, Elements & Compounds

3Stoichometry

4Electrochemistry

5Chemical Energetics

6Chemical Reactions

7Acids, Bases & Salts

8The Periodic Table

9Metals

10Chemistry of the Environment

11Organic Chemistry

11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology

11.2Naming Organic Compounds

11.3Fuels

11.4Alkanes

11.5Alkenes

11.6Alcohols

11.7Carboxylic Acids

11.8Polymers

12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis

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