6.4.3

Examples of Redox Reactions

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Examples of Redox Reactions

Oxidation and reduction reactions are important types of reactions in chemistry.

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Oxidation

  • An oxidation reaction involves gaining oxygen.
    • It can also involve losing electrons.
  • E.g. when metals react with oxygen, metal oxides are produced:
    • Magnesium + oxygen → magnesium oxide
    • 2Mg + O2 → 2MgO
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Reduction

  • A reduction reaction involves losing oxygen.
    • It can also involve gaining electrons.
  • E.g. when metal oxides lose oxygen and return to their atomic form:
    • Iron oxide + carbon monoxide → iron + carbon dioxide
    • Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2
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Transition metals

  • For transition metals, the oxidation state (valency) is given in Roman numerals after the name of the metal.
  • Examples are iron (II) oxide and iron (III) oxide.
  • The oxidation state of iron in the first case is +2 and in the second +3.

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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