Oxidation State and Redox

know that oxidation is the process of electron loss

know that oxidising agents are electron acceptors
know that reduction is the process of electron gain
know that reducing agents are electron donors
know and be able to apply the rules for assigning oxidation states in
order to work out the oxidation state of an element in a compound
from its formula
understand oxidation and reduction reactions of s and p block
elements
be able to write half-equations identifying the oxidation and
reduction processes in redox reactions when the reactants and
products are specified
be able to combine half-equations to give an overall redox equation

Oxidation State:
Definition:
The number of electrons over which an
atom has partially or totally, lost or
gained control.
(A positive number denotes a loss of control)

Oxidation State
For example:
When forming an ion, what happens to a
sodium atom?

Sodium totally loses

control of its outer shell

Na

electron to form a 1+ ion.

Its oxidation state is
therefore +1

Oxidation State
Example 2:
What happens to the bonded pair of electrons in
a hydrogen chloride molecule?
+

Cl

The hydrogen atom partially loses control of its

electron so has an oxidation number of +1
The Chlorine atom has partially gained control of
an electron so has an oxidation number of -1.

The Rules:
1. The oxidation state of elements is Zero.
2. For simple ions the oxidation state is equal to
the charge (but written sign then number e.g.
+1).
3. In compounds the oxidation states add to zero.
4. In ions containing more than one atom (e.g.
CO32-) the oxidation states of the atoms add up
to the charge.
5. Generally in compounds:
Oxygen = -2
Hydrogen = +1
Fluorine = -1
There are exceptions to these

Assigning Oxidation State:

Write the oxidation number of the atoms in this balanced
equation:
0

2Na(s) + Cl2(g)

+1

2NaCl(s)

-1

On the left, sodium and chlorine are both elements,

hence their oxidation states will be zero.
On the right, the sodium has formed a 1+ ion, so its
oxidation number will be +1.
The chlorine has formed a chloride ion (1-) so its
oxidation number will be -1.

Second example
Write the oxidation number of the atoms in this balanced
equation:
-4 +1

CH4(g) + 2O2(g)

CO2(g) + 2H2O(l)

On the left
Oxygen is an element so O.N.= 0
Hydrogen is in a compound so will be +1
CH4 has no overall charge so the O.N. must add to zero.
There are 4 Hydrogens, each of +1 therefore the carbon
must be -4

Second example
Write the oxidation number of the atoms in this balanced
equation:
-4 +1

CH4(g) + 2O2(g)

+4 -2

+1 -2

CO2(g) + 2H2O(l)

On the right
Oxygen is in compounds so O.N.= -2
Hydrogen is in a compound so will be +1
CO2 has no overall charge so the O.N. must add to zero.
There are 2 oxygens, each of -2 therefore the carbon
must be +4

Redox

Oxidation
Gain of oxygen
Loss of hydrogen
Loss of electrons
Increase in oxidation
number

Reduction
Loss of oxygen
Gain of hydrogen
Gain of electrons
Decrease in oxidation
number

Oxidised

-4 +1

CH4(g) + 2O2(g)

+4 -2

+1

-2

CO2(g) + 2H2O(l)

Reduced

Which elements have been oxidised and which reduced?

Oxidation is an increase in oxidation number.
Carbons oxidation number has increased from -4 to +4,
therefore it has been oxidised.
Reduction is a decrease in oxidation number
Oxygens oxidation number has decreased from 0 to -2,
therefore it has been reduced
Hydrogens oxidation number is unchanged, hence it is
neither oxidised nor reduced

Valency:
The number of electrons which an atom
needs to gain, lose or share in order to
have noble gas configuration.
Also:
Valency is the charge on an ion (ignoring
the sign).

What are the valencies of the following elements?

Boron

Sulphur

Calcium

Silicon

Hydrogen

The Monkey Method

e.g. What is the formula of Magnesium oxide?

1. Write down the

elements present in
your compound.
2. Write the valencies
of the elements
above the symbols
3. Switch the numbers
4. Simplify to lowest
whole number ratio.

Mg

Mg

Mg O

The Monkey Method

e.g. What is the formula of Sodium Sulphide?

1. Write down the

elements present in
your compound.
2. Write the valencies
of the elements
above the symbols
3. Switch the numbers
4. Simplify to lowest
whole number ratio.

Na

Na

Na S
2