10.1.9

Oxidisation & Reduction

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Oxidation and Reduction

Oxidation is the gaining of oxygen in a reaction and reduction is the loss of oxygen in a reaction. We can describe oxidation and reduction in terms of electrons:

Oxidation

Oxidation

  • When a substance is oxidised (gains oxygen), it always loses electrons.
  • An oxidising agent gains an electron and oxidises another substance in a chemical reaction.
Reduction

Reduction

  • When a substance is reduced (loses oxygen), it always gains electrons.
  • A reducing agent loses an electron and reduces another substance in a chemical reaction.
OILRIG

OILRIG

  • A useful mnemonic for remembering the difference between oxidation and reduction reactions in terms of electrons is OIL RIG:
    • Oxidation
    • Is
    • Loss
    • Reduction
    • Is
    • Gain
Jump to other topics
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2

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The Periodic Table

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Groups of the Periodic Table

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The Atmosphere

10

Reactivity Series

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Metal Extraction

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Acids & Alkalis

13

Chemical Tests

14

Physical Chemistry

15

Organic Chemistry

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