redox reaction expamle 3
Answers
A redox (or oxidation-reduction) reaction is a type of chemical reaction that involves a transfer of electrons between two species. [What is a "species"?]
\text{Fe}_2 \text{O}_3+2 \text{Al} \rightarrow 2 \text{Fe}+\text{Al}_2 \text O_3
F, e, start subscript, 2, end subscript, O, start subscript, 3, end subscript, plus, 2, A, l, right arrow, 2, F, e, plus, A, l, start subscript, 2, end subscript, O, start subscript, 3, end subscript
\text{Fe}_2 \text{O}_3
F, e, start subscript, 2, end subscript, O, start subscript, 3, end subscript\text{Al}A, l\text{Fe}F, e\text{Al}_2 \text O_3
A, l, start subscript, 2, end subscript, O, start subscript, 3, end subscript
We can tell there has been a transfer of electrons if there is any change in the oxidation number between the reactants and the products.
he easiest way to fully understand redox reactions is to look at some examples. So let's start by looking at the reaction that forms table salt. Sodium is oxidized and loses an electron to have a +1 charge; meanwhile chlorine is reduced because it gains the electron to have a -1 charge. The redox reaction creates two ions with opposite charges that are attracted to one another and create sodium chloride, or table salt.
At this point it's also important to discuss reducing and oxidizing agents. A reducing agent donates electrons or reduces another substance. So, in the case of our table salt reaction, sodium is the reducing agent. An oxidizing agent accepts electrons or oxidizes another substance. So, in the case of our table salt reaction, chlorine is the oxidizing agent. An oxidizing agent gains electrons, and an oxidizing agent is reduced.
quite cool!