Chapter 3: Redox Reaction

Six Easy Steps to Understand this SubTopic:

First, try to understand why the apparatus are set up this way. Is it for isolation? If so, why?
(Answer: So that redox reaction can occur through the transfer of electrons without contact
but through a conduit.

Secondly, try to understand the nature of both the reducing and oxidising agents. Why
would certain combinations be chosen?

Thirdly, remember what is added onto the solution in the reducing agent arm of the U-tube
(U-shaped glass, not the video site).

Fourthly, try to understand why is it tested on the reducing agent arm only.

Fifth, try to logically visualise the observation, visualising it is sometimes and important way
to understand things.

Finally, use all your chemistry knowledge to infer your observations.

A summary of the most important part of this subtopic is summarised in the tables below.
Redox Reactions by the Transfer of Electrons at a Distance
Set I
Reducing

Oxidising agent

agent

Test on the solution in the reducing agent

arm of U-tube

Iron(II)

Acidified potassium Add a few drops of potassium thiocyanate, KSCN

sulphate,

dichromate(VI),

solution

FeSO4solution K2Cr2O7 solution

Observation

Inference

The electrode in the iron(II)

Electrons flow from iron(II) sulphate,

sulphate, FeSO4 solution acts as the FeSO4solution to acidified potassium

negative terminal, whereas the

dichromate(VI), K2Cr2O7 solution

electrode in the acidified potassium

dichromate(VI), K2Cr2O7 solution
acts as the positive terminal.
Iron(II) sulphate solution changes

Iron(III) ions are present. Iron(II) ions are

from pale green to yellow/brown. It oxidised to iron(III) ions.

gives blood-red colouration with
potassium thiocyanate solution
(KSCN)
Acidified potassium

Dichromate(VI) ions are reduced to

dichromate(VI), K2Cr2O7solution

chromium(III) ions.

changes colour from orange to

green.

Oxidation half-equation: Fe2+(aq) > Fe3+(aq) + e

Reduction half-equation: Cr2O72-(aq) + 14H+(aq) + 6e > 2Cr3+(aq) + 7H2O(l)

Overall reaction: Cr2O72-(aq) + 6Fe2+(aq) 14H+(aq) > 2Cr3+(aq) + 6Fe3+(aq) + 7H2O(l)

Set II
Reducing

Oxidising agent Test on the solution

agent

in the reducing
agent arm of U-tube

Iron(II)

Acidified

Add sodium hydroxide,

sulphate,

manganate(VII),

NaOH solution

FeSO4solution KMnO4 solution

Observation

Inference

The electrode in the iron(II)

Electrons flow from

sulphate, FeSO4 solution acts as

iron(II) sulphate,

the negative terminal, whereas

FeSO4solution to

the electrode in the acidified

acidified potassium

potassium manganate(VII),

manganate(VII),

KMnO4 solution acts as the

KMnO4 solution

positive terminal.
Iron(II) sulphate solution changes Iron(III) ions are
from pale green to yellow/brown. present. Iron(II) ions
It formed a brown precipitate

are oxidised

when the brown solution is tested to iron(III) ions.

with sodium hydroxide solution
(NaOH)
Purple acidified manganate(VII), Manganate(VII) ions
KMnO4 solution turns colourless. are reduced to
manganese(II) ions.
Fe2+(aq)

Oxidation half-equation:

> Fe3+(aq) + e

Reduction half-equation: MnO4-(aq) + 8H+(aq) + 5e > Mn2+(aq) + 4H2O(l)

Overall reaction: MnO4-(aq) + 5Fe2+(aq) + 8H+(aq) > Mn2+(aq) + 5Fe3+(aq) + 4H2O(l)

Set III
Reducing

Oxidising agent Test on the solution

agent

in the reducing
agent arm of U-tube

Potassium

Bromine water, Br2 Add a few drops of

iodide, KI

starch solution

solution
Observation

Inference

The electrode in the potassium

Electrons flow from

iodide, KI solution acts as the

potassium iodide, KI

negative terminal, whereas the

solution to bromine

electrode in the bromine water

water, Br2 (aq).

acts as the positive terminal.

Colourless potassium iodide

Iodine is present.Iodide

solution turns brown. It formed ions have oxidised to

a dark blue colouration when the iodine.
brown solution is tested with
starch solution.
Brown bromine water turns

Bromines are reduced

colourless.

to bromide ion.

Oxidation half-equation: 2I-(aq) > I2(aq) + 2e

Reduction half-equation: Br2(aq) + 2e > 2Br-(aq)

Overall reaction: Br2(aq) + 2I-(aq) > 2Br-(aq) + I2(aq)

Other pairs of reducing agent and oxidising agent

Reducing agent

Oxidising agent

Potassium iodide,KI

Iron(III) sulphate,Fe2(SO4)3 solution

solution
Potassium iodide,KI

Acidified potassium

solution

dichromate(VI),K2Cr2O7 solution

Potassium bromide,KBr Chlorine, Cl2 water

solution

Rusting as a Redox Reaction

Rust / hydrated iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3xH2O formed slowly at the surface of iron when it
exposed to the damp air.

Rusting a redox reaction that take places between iron and oxygen to form hydrated
iron(III) oxide and this is a slow reaction.
4Fe(s) + 3O2(g) + 2xH2O(l) > Fe2O3xH2O(s)

Corrosion a redox reaction that take places between a metal and the gases in air. Metal is
oxidised to form an oxide layer on the surface. Metal atoms lose electrons to form positive ions.
1.

Group 1 metals are very reactive.

2. Metals are exposed to air will corrode rapidly and become tarnished.
3. Aluminium, lead and zinc corrode rapidly in the air and forms an oxide layer. The oxide layer
is hard, non-porous, impermeable and difficult to crack. This protects the aluminium, lead
and zinc below it from further corrosion.
Example: Corrosion of metal.
Zn(s) > Zn2+(aq) + 2e
Cu(s) > Cu2+(aq) + 2e
K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Sn, Pb, Cu, Hg, Ag, Au
<Tendency of metal to corrode increases.

Process of Rusting of Iron

1.

Anode (negative terminal) concentration of oxygen is lower and iron rust (oxidation process)
to form iron(II) ions:
Fe(s) > Fe2+(aq) + 2e

2. Cathode (positive terminal) concentration of oxygen is higher and oxygen gains electrons
that reduced to hydroxide ions:
O2(g) + 2H2O(l) + 4e > 4OH-(aq)
3. Fe2+ ions and OH- ions combine to form iron(II) hydroxide, Fe(OH)2
4. Oxygen further oxidises iron(II) hydroxide, Fe(OH) 2 to hydrated iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3xH2O.
2Fe(OH)2(s) > Fe2O3xH2O(s)
The Effect of Other Metals on the Rusting of Iron
Potassium hexacyanoferrate(III), K3Fe(NO)6 is used to detect Fe2+ ions
(produces dark blue colour in the presence of Fe2+).
Phenolphthalein is used to detect OH- ions
(produces pink colour in the presence of OH-).
Test tube Observation
Fe only

Reaction

Intensity of blue Oxidation:Fe(s) > Fe2+(aq) + 2e

colour is low.

Control

Pink colour is

Reduction:O2(g) + 2H2O(l) + e >

not present.

4OH-(aq)OH- ions react with Fe2+ ions

to form Fe(OH)2.

Inference

Fe nail rusts a little.

Test tube Observation

Reaction

Fe & Mg Blue colour is

Oxidation:Mg(s) > Mg2+(aq) + 2e

not present.
Intensity of

Reduction:O2(g) + 2H2O(l) + e >

pink colour is

4OH-(aq)

very high.
Inference

Mg is corroded and Fe nail does not

rust.

i) Fe act as the (+) terminal (cathode)

ii) Mg act as the (-) terminal (anode)
Test tube Observation

Reaction

Fe & Zn

Oxidation:Zn(s) > Zn2+(aq) + 2e

Blue colour is
not present.

Intensity of pink Reduction:O2(g) + 2H2O(l) + e >

colour is high.

4OH-(aq)

Inference

Zn is corroded and Fe nail does not

rust.

i) Fe act as the (+) terminal (cathode)

ii) Zn act as the (-) terminal (anode)

Test tube Observation

Fe & Sn

Reaction

Intensity of blue Oxidation:Fe (s) > Fe2+(aq) + 2e

colour is high.
Pink colour is

Reduction:O2(g) + 2H2O(l) + e >

not present.

4OH-(aq)OH- ions react with Fe2+ ions

to form Fe(OH)2.

Inference

Fe nail rusts quickly (high rate).

i) Sn act as the (+) terminal (cathode)

ii) Fe act as the (-) terminal (anode)
Test tube Observation
Fe & Cu

Reaction

Intensity of blue Oxidation:Fe (s) > Fe2+(aq) + 2e

colour is very
high.
Pink colour is

Reduction:O2(g) + 2H2O(l) + e >

not present.

4OH-(aq)OH- ions react with Fe2+ ions

to form Fe(OH)2.

Inference

Fe nail rusts very quickly (the highest

rate).

i) Cu act as the (+) terminal (cathode)

ii) Fe act as the (-) terminal (anode)

Iron nail does not rust if it has contacted with more electropositive metals (Mg and Zn).

Iron nail rusts quickly if it has contacted with less electropositive metals (Sn and Cu).

Prevention of Rusting of Iron

The rate of rusting of iron decreases if the iron (Fe) in contact with any of these metals: K, Na, Ca,
Mg, Al and Zn.
The rate of rusting of iron increases if the iron (Fe) in contact

with any of these metals: Sn, Pb, Cu, Hg, Ag and Au.

a strong electrolyte (salt and acid) is present.

Ways Used for Prevention of Rusting

1.

Painting Protect iron surface (prevent from contacting with air and water)

2. Coat with plastic Used in metal netting

3. Apply oil and grease Protective coating for machine part
4. Alloying the iron Alloying the iron with 18% chromium and 8% nickel that provide a
protective oxide coating.
5. a) Tin plating (less electropositive metal) Cans of food (iron) is covered with a thin layer of
tin to provide a protective oxide coating to the cans.
b) Chrome plating
6. Cathodic protection / Electrical protection (more electropositive metal)
a) Galvanising (coat with zinc metal) Zinc layer provides a protective oxide coating and
zinc is oxidized instead of iron. Iron cannot form ions, so it will not rust.

b) Sacrificial protection Blocks of magnesium are attached at the intervals of the water
piping system & zinc bars are attached to the part of the ship submerged in sea water.

The Reactivity Series of Metals and Its Application

1. Metal form metal oxides when burnt in air (excess).
Metal + Oxygen > Metal oxide
Example: 2Zn(s) + O2(g) > 2ZnO(s)
2. The more reactive a metal is, the more vigorously it burns in oxygen.
Reactivity of Metals
K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Sn, Pb, Cu, Hg, Ag, Au
< increase in reactivity of metals
3. Reactivity of Metals with Oxygen.
Metal

Observation

Magnesium

Burnsvigorouslywith The reactivity of 2Mg(s) +

(Mg)

a verybrilliant white

Mg towards

O2(g)>

flame.The residue

O2 isvery

2MgO(s)

is whitewhen hot and

high.Magnesium

cold.

oxide is formed.

Burnsquickly with

The reactivity of 2Zn(s) + O2(g)

abright flame.The

Zn towards

residue isyellow when

O2 ishigh.Zinc

hot and whitewhen

oxide is formed.

Zinc (Zn)

Inference

Equation

> 2ZnO(s)

cold.
Iron (Fe)

Lead (Pb)

Glows verybrightly.The The reactivity of 2Fe(s) + O2(g)

residue isreddish-

Fe towards O2 is > 2Fe2O3(s)

brownwhen hot and

medium.Iron(III)

cold.

oxide is formed.

Glowsbrightly.The

The reactivity of 2Pb(s) + O2(g)

residue isbrown when

Pb towards O2 is > 2PbO(s)

hot and yellowwhen

low.Lead(II)

cold.

oxide is formed.

Copper (Cu) Glowsfaintly.The

The reactivity of 2Cu(s) + O2(g)

residue is blackwhen

Cu towards O2 is > 2CuO(s)

hot and cold.

very
low.Copper(II)
oxide is formed.

Glass wool prevents metal powder mixes with potassium manganate(VII)

Solid potassium manganate(VII) liberates oxygen gas when it is heated / decomposed.

2KMnO4(s) -> K2MnO4(s) + MnO2(s) + O2(g)

heat

Other than potassium manganate(VII),

- solid potassium chlorate(V) with manganese(IV) oxide as a catalyst.

MnO2
2KClO3(s) -> KCl(s) + 3O2(g)
heat
- solid potassium nitrate
2KNO3(s) -> KNO2(s) + O2(g)
heat
4. Position of Carbon in the Reactivity Series of Metals
Reactivity Series
K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al, C, Zn, Fe, Sn, Pb, Cu, Hg, Ag, Au
< increase in reactivity
a) Metal + Carbon dioxide > Metal oxide + Carbon
Any metal above carbon in the reactivity series can displace oxygen from carbon dioxide.
Example: 2Mg(s) + CO2(g) > 2MgO(s) + C(s)
Mg: Reducing agent
CO2: Oxidising agent
MgO: White residue
C: Black spots
> Therefore, magnesium is more reactive than carbon.
(If the metal is less reactive than carbon, the metal is unable to remove oxygen from carbon
dioxide.)
b) Carbon + Metal oxide > Carbon dioxide + Metal
Any metal below carbon in the reactivity series can displace carbon from its oxide.
Example: C(s) + 2ZnO(s) > 2Zn(s) + CO2(g)
C: Reducing agent
ZnO: Oxidising agent
Zn: Grey residue
> Therefore, zinc is less reactive than carbon.
(If carbon is less reactive than the metal, the carbon is unable to remove oxygen from metal oxide.)

Position of Hydrogen in the Reactivity Series of Metals

Reactivity Series
K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al, C, Zn, H, Fe, Sn, Pb, Cu, Hg, Ag, Au
< increase in reactivity
Metal oxide + Hydrogen > Metal + Water
Any metal below hydrogen in the reactivity series, hydrogen will reduce the oxide of metal to
metal.

Example 1:

CuO(s) + H2(g) > Cu(s) + H2O(l)

Observation: Burns quickly with a bright flame. The black solid turns brown solid.

H2: Reducing agent

CuO: Oxidising agent

Hydrogen is more reactive than copper.

Example 2:

PbO(s) + H2(g) > Pb(s) + H2O(l)

Observation: Burns with a bright flame. The yellow solid turns grey solid.

H2: Reducing agent

PbO: Oxidising agent

Hydrogen is more reactive than lead.

Example 3:

Fe2O3(s) + 3H2(g) > 2Fe(s) + 3H2O(l)

Observation: Glows dimly. The reddish-brown solid turns grey solid.

H2: Reducing agent

Fe2O3: Oxidising agent

Hydrogen is more reactive than iron.

Example 4:

ZnO(s) + H2(g) > no reaction

Observation: No glow is observed. It turns yellow when hot and white when cold.

Hydrogen is unable to reduce zinc oxide. Hydrogen is less reactive than zinc.