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:

Illustrative background for OxidationIllustrative background for Oxidation ?? "content

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.
Illustrative background for ReductionIllustrative background for Reduction ?? "content

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.
Illustrative background for OILRIGIllustrative background for OILRIG ?? "content

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

1States of Matter

2Elements, Compounds & Mixtures

3Atomic Structure

4The Periodic Table

5Chemical Formulae, Equations & Calculations

6Bonding

7Electrolysis

8Groups of the Periodic Table

9The Atmosphere

10Reactivity Series

11Metal Extraction

12Acids & Alkalis

13Chemical Tests

14Physical Chemistry

15Organic Chemistry

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