New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Higher

Redox reactions

I can write half-equations and balanced ionic equations.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Higher

Redox reactions

I can write half-equations and balanced ionic equations.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Oxidation is the loss of electrons and reduction is the gain of electrons.
  2. Half equations can be written to show which species are oxidised and which are reduced.
  3. Ionic equations can be written for displacement reactions.

Common misconception

To show the spectator ions in an ionic equation.

Spectator ions are ions that remain the same throughout a reaction. They are not included in the ionic equation.

Keywords

  • Oxidation - Oxidation is a type of reaction in which a substance gains oxygen or loses electrons.

  • Reduction - Reduction is a type of reaction in which a substance loses oxygen or gains electrons.

  • Half equation - A half equation is a chemical equation used to show the electrons lost in oxidation or the electrons gained in reduction.

  • Redox reaction - A redox reaction is a reaction where both reduction and oxidation occur.

The acronym OILRIG could be introduced to help students remember Oxidation Is Loss of electrons and Reduction Is Gain of electrons.
Teacher tip

Equipment

None required.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the definition with the correct key term.
Correct Answer:atom,is the building block of all matter

is the building block of all matter

Correct Answer:ion,an atom or group of atoms with a positive or negative charge

an atom or group of atoms with a positive or negative charge

Correct Answer:element,is made up of only one type of atom

is made up of only one type of atom

Correct Answer:compound,is made up of 2 or more different elements chemically bonded together

is made up of 2 or more different elements chemically bonded together

Q2.
What has been oxidised in this reaction? Zinc oxide + carbon → carbon dioxide + zinc
zinc oxide
Correct answer: carbon
carbon dioxide
zinc
Q3.
What has been reduced in this reaction? Iron oxide + magnesium → magnesium oxide + iron.
Correct answer: iron oxide
magnesium
magnesium oxide
iron
Q4.
What key term is used to describe reactions where a more reactive element takes the place of a less reactive element in a compound?
Correct Answer: displacement, displacement reactions
Q5.
Match the group in the periodic table with the correct charge on their ions.
Correct Answer:Group 1,+1

+1

Correct Answer:Group 2,+2

+2

Correct Answer:Group 3,+3

+3

Correct Answer:Group 6,-2

-2

Correct Answer:Group 7,-1

-1

Q6.
What is the correct formula and charge of a nitrate ion?
N₃ᐨ
N₃ᐨ²
Correct answer: NO₃ᐨ
NO₃ᐨ²

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following statements are true?
oxidation is the loss of oxygen
Correct answer: oxidation is the loss of electrons
Correct answer: reduction is the loss of oxygen
reduction is the loss of electrons
Correct answer: reduction is the gain of electrons
Q2.
What is the name of a reaction which involves both reduction and oxidation?
Correct Answer: redox, redox reaction
Q3.
Which of the following statements are true for this half equation: Ca → Caᐩ² + 2eᐨ?
Correct answer: electrons have been lost
electrons have been gained
Correct answer: the Ca has been oxidised
the Ca has been reduced
Q4.
Which is the correct half equation for the reduction of Liᐩ?
Li → Liᐩ + eᐨ
Li + eᐨ → Li
Li + eᐨ → Liᐩ
Correct answer: Liᐩ + eᐨ → Li
Liᐩ → Li + eᐨ
Q5.
What do we not include in ionic equations for reactions?
the species that is oxidised
the species that is reduced
Correct answer: spectator ions
Q6.
What is the missing product in this overall ionic equation: Cuᐩ² + Al → Alᐩ³ + ___?
Al
Cuᐩ³
Correct answer: Cu
Alᐩ²