Redox Reaction
Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Foundation
A redox reaction is a chemical reaction in which Oxygen is lost from one compound (Reduction) and gained by another compound (Oxidation).
Higher
A redox reaction is a chemical reaction in which ions of a less reactive metal gain electrons (Reduction) and atoms of a more reactive metal lose electrons (Oxidation).
About Redox Reactions
Foundation
- Displacement reactions between metals and metal oxides are a type of redox reaction.
- During a redox reaction a less reactive metal in a metal oxide is displaced by the more reactive metal element.
In the following redox reaction:
- Aluminium + Iron Oxide → Aluminium Oxide + Iron
- <chem>2Al+Fe2O3->Al2O3+2Fe</chem>
The Aluminium is oxidised and the Iron is reduced.
Higher
- Displacement reactions between metals and metal compounds are a type of redox reaction.
- During redox reaction the less reactive metal ion is reduced when it gains electrons and the more reactive metal element is oxidised when it loses electrons.
Redox Reactions can be described by two half equations.
- Aluminium + Iron Oxide → Aluminium Oxide + Iron
- Oxidation of Aluminium: <chem>2Al -6e^- -> 2Al^+3</chem>
- Reduction of Iron: <chem>2Fe^+3 +6e^- -> 2Fe</chem>