Examples of Redox Reactions
Chemistry: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 6.4.3
Examples of Redox Reactions
Oxidation and reduction reactions are important types of reactions in chemistry.
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
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
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.
Test yourself on Examples of Redox Reactions
Which of these are oxidation reactions?
What tells us the oxidisation state of a transition metal?
Which of these shows the correct name and valency of the transition metal?