16.4 Oxidation & Reduction | EverExams

⚡ 16.4 Oxidation & Reduction · EverExams

left‑aligned, topic‑wise notes + memory tricks + 10 MCQ quiz

🔁 oxidation & reduction – simultaneous opposites

Oxidation and reduction are simultaneous but opposite processes. They always occur together. Oxidation and reduction changes are described in three principal ways.

(A) Oxidation

1. Oxidation (oxygen addition / hydrogen removal)

4Fe + 3O₂ → 2Fe₂O₃ (rusting)
2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO (burning magnesium)

Fe and Mg are oxidized; oxygen is reduced. Oxygen = oxidising agent; Fe, Mg = reducing agents.

CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O
4HCl + MnO₂ → MnCl₂ + Cl₂ + 2H₂O

CH₄ and HCl oxidized (O₂ and MnO₂ reduced). CH₄/HCl = reducing agents ; O₂/MnO₂ = oxidising agents.

2. Oxidation is loss of electron(s).

Cu → Cu⁺ + e⁻
Cu → Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻

Copper is oxidized (acts as reducing agent).

3. Oxidation increases oxidation number.

Cu(0) → Cu(+1) or Cu(+2) ; oxidation number rises.
🧠 OIL RIG — Oxidation Is Loss (of electrons), Reduction Is Gain.
To remember oxidising agent: “the one that gets reduced” – think: Oxidising agent causes oxidation, itself is reduced. Leo (loss e⁻ oxidation) says GER (gain e⁻ reduction).

(B) Reduction

1. Reduction = hydrogen addition / oxygen removal

H₂ + Cl₂ → 2HCl (hydrogen added to chlorine)
CuO + H₂ → Cu + H₂O (oxygen removed from CuO)

Cl₂ and CuO are reduced (they are oxidising agents); H₂ is oxidized (reducing agent).

2. Reduction is gain of electron(s).

Fe³⁺ + e⁻ → Fe²⁺
Mn⁷⁺ + 5e⁻ → Mn²⁺

Fe³⁺, Mn⁷⁺ reduced → they are oxidising agents.

3. Reduction decreases oxidation number.

Fe (+3 → +2) ; Mn (+7 → +2)
📉 reduction tip: “reduction → reduce oxidation state”. GER (Gain Electrons Reduction). An oxidising agent gets reduced: “Ox agent – takes electrons – its number goes down”.

✔️ all examples from notes included: 4Fe+3O₂, 2Mg+O₂, CH₄+2O₂, 4HCl+MnO₂, Cu⁺/Cu²⁺, H₂+Cl₂, CuO+H₂, Fe³⁺/Mn⁷⁺ reductions.

📘 student guidelines

• Redox always happens in pairs – one oxidised, one reduced.
• Identify changes in oxidation number: increase = oxidation ; decrease = reduction.
• Oxidising agent itself gets reduced (accepts electrons).
• Reducing agent itself gets oxidised (donates electrons).
• Memorise common pairs: O₂/oxide, halogens, KMnO₄ (Mn⁷⁺ → Mn²⁺).
• Practice with half‑reactions: write loss & gain separately.
• Left‑aligned notes help systematic reading – read twice daily.
• Use OIL RIG and LEO GER frequently.

🧪 10 MCQs · redox basics

click option → turns green if correct, red if wrong (others grey). then press ‘submit quiz’ to get score & answer key.

@everexams redox template