Redox Reactions

1. Oxidation: is a process which (i) involves addition of

oxygen or any other electronegative element, or
removal of hydrogen or any other electropositive
element, or
ii) Involves loss of electrons. That is why oxidation is also
called de-electro nation.
2. Reduction is a process which involves addition of
hydrogen or any other electropositive element, or
involves removal of oxygen or any other electronegative
element, or
ii) involves gain of electrons. That is why reduction is also
called electro nation.
3. An oxidising agent or an oxidant is a substance which
(i) supplies oxygen or any other electropositive
element, or
ii) Can readily accept electrons from other electrons from
other substances. That is why oxidising agents are electronacceptors.

Examples: KmnO4, K2Cr2O7, HNO3, H2O2, KCIO3, F2, Cl2, Br2, I2

etc.
4. An oxiding agent after carrying out oxidation itself gets
reduced.
5. A reducing agent or a reductant is a substance which
i) Supplies hydrogen or any other electropositive element
or removes oxygen or any other electronegative
element, or
ii) Can readily donate electrons. That is why reducing
agents are electron donors.
Examples : H2, C, CO, AL, SO2, HNO2, H2S, SnCl2 etc.
6. A reducing agent after carrying out reduction itself gets
oxidized.
7. Redox Reactions are reactions in which oxidation and
reduction reactions occur simultaneously.
8. Electrode. A metal dipped in the solution of its own ions
is called an electrode or a redox couple.
9. Standard electrode potential (E). Since electrode
potential depends upon the nature of the metal,
concentration of ions in solution and the temperature,
therefore, electrode potentials are usually measured
under standard condition.
10. Electrochemical or Galvanic or Voltaic cell is a
device in which chemical energy of a redox reaction is
converted into electrical energy.

11. Oxidation occurs at the anode while reduction occurs

at the cathode.
12. EMF of a cell is given by the expression,
E0 cell = E0cathode E0anode
13. Predicting feasibility of a redox reaction. In general, a
redox reaction is feasible only if the EMF of the galvanic
cell it forms is +ve, i.e., the species which has lower
electrode potential is oxidized and the species with
higher electrode potential is reduced.