Concept of Oxidation and Reduction, Redox Couples Definition of Oxidation: - When an atom or molecule gains or loses electrons, it undergoes oxidation....
Concept of Oxidation and Reduction, Redox Couples
Definition of Oxidation:
When an atom or molecule gains or loses electrons, it undergoes oxidation.
The atom or molecule that loses electrons is oxidized.
The atom or molecule that gains electrons is reduced.
Definition of Reduction:
When an atom or molecule loses electrons, it undergoes reduction.
The atom or molecule that gains electrons is reduced.
The atom or molecule that loses electrons is oxidized.
Redox Couples:
A redox couple is a pair of chemically distinct species that undergo oxidation and reduction simultaneously.
In a redox reaction, the two species exchange electrons.
Oxidation occurs when the atom or molecule loses electrons, while reduction occurs when it gains electrons.
Examples of Redox Couples:
The reaction between iron and hydrogen is an example of a redox reaction.
When copper is oxidized, it forms copper(II) ions (Cu2+).
When zinc is reduced, it forms zinc ions (Zn2-).
Importance of Redox Couples:
Redox couples are essential for describing the oxidation and reduction processes that occur in chemical reactions.
They allow chemists to predict the products of redox reactions and to calculate the balanced chemical equations.
Redox couples are also used in various applications, such as batteries, fuel cells, and biological systems