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CHAPTER 3 : OXIDATION AND

REDUCTIONc
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A redox reaction can be defined as a reaction that involves oxidation and
reduction at the same time (simultaneously).Oxidation is the process of losing
electrons or the decrease in the oxidation number.c
Reduction is the process of gaining electrons or the decrease in the
oxidation number.An oxidising agent is the substance that oxidises another
substance,while a reducing agent is a substance that reduces another
substance.The electron transfer in a redox reaction can cause a change in the
axidation number.
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ccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccTable 12.1 Nomenclature of metal elements
according to the IUPAC systemc
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cccccccccccccc Table 12.2 Nomenclature of non-metal element according to the
IUPAC system

Chlorine water,bromine water,acidified potassium manganate(VII)

dichromate(VI) solution, all act as oxidising agents to oxidise iron(II) ion to
iron(III) ion.Magnesium,zinc, and aluminium can act as reducing agents to
reduce iron(III) ion to ion (II) ion.c
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cccc Table 12.3 The different oxidation numbers of transition elementsc

The displacement of metal from its salt solution is a redox reaction.The

dsiplacement reaction of halogen from its halide solution by other halogens is a
redox reaction.
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cccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc Table 12.4 Observations of redox reactions

The corrosion of metal occurs when it loses electrons to form the iron(II)
ion.The rusting process of iron requires water and oxygen (air).The
electrochemical corrosion of metals is a process that occurs when two metals
with different electropositivity come into contact with an electrolyte; the
more electropositive metal will donate electrons (oxidation) and corrodes.
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The rusting of iron can be prevented by using a protective layer such as
through painting of the iron material,and also by using a sacrifical metal. The
reactivity series of metals is a sequence showing the vigour of the reaction of
metals with oxygen.

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The reactivity series of metals can be used to predict whether a metal
can reduce another metal from its metal oxide.Carbon is located between
aluminium and zinc in the reactivity series of metals.

Hydrogen is located between zinc and iron in the reactivity series of

metals.Carbon is usually used to extract metals such as tin and iron from their
metal ores.In the simple voltaic cell, the transfer of electrons occurs from
the reducing agent th the oxidising agent.c

The oxidising agent and reducing agent in a simple voltaic cell is separated
by a porous pot or salt bridge.The porous pot or salt bridge allows the
transfer pf ions to occur.

The oxidatin process that occurs at the anode involves the loss of
electrons.The reducation process that occurs at the cathode involves the gain
of electrons.The energy conversion that occurs in a chemical cell is:

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