Redox Reactions - Metal Oxide
Chemistry: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 4.1.3
Oxidation and Reduction
Oxidation and reduction reactions are important types of reactions in chemistry.
Oxidation
- An oxidation reaction involves gaining oxygen.
- Oxidation reactions can also involve losing electrons.
- E.g. when metals react with oxygen, metal oxides are produced:
- Calcium + oxygen → calcium oxide
- 2Ca + O2 → 2CaO
Reduction
- A reduction reaction involves losing oxygen.
- Reduction reactions 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
Test yourself on Redox Reactions - Metal Oxide
In which reaction is iron reduced?
What happens to iron in terms of electrons when iron oxide is reduced to iron?
In which reaction is calcium oxidised?
What happens to calcium in terms of electrons when calcium reacts with oxygen to form calcium oxide?