16.

Redox
Chemistry
and
Corrosion

Everyday redox
Redox reactions include:
the respiration reaction that
is the source of energy in
almost all living things
photosynthesis in green
plants
burning of fuels to propel our
cars
Often associated with rusting
of materials
Australia spends about $3
billion each year in an effort to
prevent metals from corroding
and replacing metal that has
corroded

Redox
ReductionOxidation
A redox reaction is a reaction where oxidation and
reduction simultaneously occur.
Oxidation is loss of electrons (e- are products)
Reduction is gain of electrons (e- are reactants)

Of

Redox half equations

Terminology
OXIDANT
Causes oxidation to occur. The oxidant
itself will be reduced
Also called oxidising agent
REDUCTANT
Causes reduction to occur. The
reductant itself will be oxidised
Also called reducing agent

Writing redox half

equations
Zn(s)

Zn2+
+(aq)
2e oxidation

+ 2e

reduction

Cu2+(aq)

Cu(s)

Overall chemical equation

Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)

Redox half equations

Complete and balance the following half equations,
AND classify as either Oxidation of Reduction.
Au+ (aq)

Au3+(aq)
Au+ (aq) Au3+(aq) + 2e Oxidation
Br2 (l)

Br (l)

Br2 (l) + 2e- 2Br (l)

Reduction
F (aq)

F2 (g)
F (aq) F2 (g) + e Oxidation

Steps for writing complex redox half

equations: KOHES
K = balance the key element (undergoing
oxidation or
reduction)
O = balance oxygen by adding H2O to the
opposite
side of the equation.
H = balance hydrogen by adding H+ to the
opposite side of
the equation.
E = balance the charge on both sides of the
equation by
adding electrons to the
more positive side
S = add states
NOTE: Common error students have is where they locate the
electrons
REMEMBER to balance for atoms AND charge for half
equations!

Over to you..
Permanganate ions MnO4- reduced to Mn2+
ions

K: MnO4- Mn2+
(Manganese Mn is the Key
Element)
O: MnO4- Mn2+ + 4H2O (balance Oxygen)
H: MnO4- + 8H+ Mn2+ + 4H2O (Balance hydrogen)
E: MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- Mn2+ + 4H2O (balance
charge)
S: MnO4-(aq) + 8H+(aq) + 5e- Mn2+(aq) + 4H2O(l) (States)

Oxidation Numbers
(states)
Sometimes it can be hard to distinguish how electrons
have been transferred.
Oxidation numbers also help to identify whether a redox
reaction has occurred.

Increase in ON means the element has been Oxidized

Decrease in ON means the element has been Reduced

Species
Element
s

Rule for oxidation

number

Examples

Oxidation number of zero

Cl2, Mg , C, K, P4

Oxidation number is equal to (or

adds up to) their charge

Na+ (+1), Cl- (-1),

NH4+ : overall +1
(N -3, 4H (4x +1)
= +1)

Ions

Oxygen
compou
nds

Oxygen in compounds = -2

H2O : O = -2,

(except H2O2 and BaO2 = -1)

H2O2: O = -1

Hydroge
n
compou
nds
Molecula

Hydrogen compounds = +1

H2O : H = +1
HCl : H = +1,

(except in metal hydrides = -1)

LiH: H=-1

The sum of ON = charge on

CH4:

Using oxidation numbers to identify a redox reaction

determine whether the following reaction is a redox
reaction.
H2(g) + I2(g) 2HI(g)

The oxidation number of hydrogen has changed from 0

to +1, so the hydrogen has been oxidized.
The oxidation number of iodine has changed from 0 to
1, so the iodine has been reduced.
This is therefore a redox reaction.

Although tungsten, W, is a rare element, it is very common in light

globes. The metal is obtained from tungsten(VI) oxide by heating it with
hydrogen, according to the equation:
WO3(s) + 3H2(g) W(s) + 3H2O(g)
Using oxidation numbers, determine whether this equation
represents a redox reaction and, if so, identify the oxidant and
the reductant.

The oxidation number of tungsten decreases, it must belong to

the compound that is reduced.
The oxidation number of hydrogen increases, indicating
oxidation.
Therefore the reaction is redox: WO3 (not just W) is the oxidant
and H2 is the reductant.

Identify the oxidation numbers of all elements in the

equation and then deduce which element is reduced.

Decrease in ON means the element has been

Reduced
Therefore the molecular oxygen has been reduced

Oxidation Numbers and

Vanadium
Today we will be reacting vanadate ions (V) with Zinc to
form vanadium (IV), vanadium(III) and vanadium (II):
The reactions:
VO2+ (aq) + 2H+(aq) + e- VO2+ (aq) + H2O(l)
VO2+ (aq) + 2H+(aq) + e- V3+(aq) + H2O(l)
V3+(aq) + e- V2+(aq)
TASK
1. Identify the change of oxidation number for
vanadium in each reaction
2. Analyse whether vanadium is being oxidized or

Oxidation Numbers and

Vanadium
VO2+

VO2+

V3+

V2+

+5

+4

+3

+2

Homework
Read pages 273 283
Complete questions: 2, 4, 7, 8, 9,
10ace
W/s Booklets due this Monday
complete and corrected (with
DIFFERENT coloured pen)

Revision Quiz (6min/test conditions)

1. Distinguish between:
a. Oxidation and reduction
b. Oxidant and reductant

2. Write the half equation for Cu2+ solution forming Cu solid.

Identify whether oxidation or reduction has occurred.
3. Write the half equation for CO gas forming CO 2 gas.
Identify whether oxidation or reduction has occurred.
4. Assign oxidation numbers for the underlined species:
0
a. V
b. V2+
+2
c. V2O5
+5
d. O2
0
+7
e. MnO4-

PREDICTING
REDOX
The
Electrochemical Series
REACTIONS

te
no
r(
fe
ns
tr a
e
th
e
ti v
ga
ne
)
nt
ie
ad
gr

Increasing reducing strength

n
tro
ec
el

Increasing Oxidizing strength

e
Th

Stronge
st
oxidant

The
Electrochem
ical Series
This table can be
used to predict
whether a
spontaneous redox
reaction will occur
The oxidant must
be higher in
position to the
reductant
Top-left /bottom right

Stronge
st
reducta

The Electrochemical Series as

it appears in your textbook
(p287)
Relative
Relative
strength of
oxidant
(causes
oxidation)

strength of
reductant
(causes
reduction)

How can we predict this?

Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) Zn2+
(aq) + Cu(s)
Strong
er
oxidan
t

Reduction

Oxidation
Stronge
r
reducta
nt

Will a reaction occur?

The
Electrochemical
Series (p287)
Strong
er
oxidan
t

Reduction

Oxidation
Stronge
r
reducta
nt

Will a reaction occur?

Zn (s) Zn2+(aq) +
2eCu2+ (aq) + 2e-
Cu (s)

 Conjugate Redox pairs

Oxidation
Zn(s) Zn2+(aq) +
2e-

Zn2+(aq)/Zn(s) and Cu2+(aq)/Cu(s)

Reduction
Cu2+ (aq) + 2e-

Oxidant
reductant

Conjugate Redox pairs

Oxidation
Zn(s) Zn2+(aq) +
2e-

Zn2+(aq)/Zn(s) and Cu2+(aq)/Cu(s)

Reduction
Cu2+ (aq) + 2e-

Oxidant and Reductant

N
What is undergoing oxidation?
a
O2
What is undergoing reduction?

What is the oxidant? (Causing

O2
oxidation)
N
What is the reductant? (causing
a
reduction)

Will a reaction occur?

Ni(s)

Al(NO)3(aq
)

Will a reaction occur? NO.

Ni(s)

Al(NO)3(aq
)

a Fe is added to a
solution containing Ni2+
ions
b Ag is added to a
solution containing
Co2+ ions
c Cr is added to a
solution containing Sn2+
ions.

Increasing Oxidizing strength

Use an electrochemical series to

predict whether the following
combinations will spontaneously react

Homework
Questions 13 and 14 should be
completed today in class
On Monday we will be predicting
whether redox reactions will occur
and construction galvanic cells. pre
reading required: p 283-286

Revision from Last class

Y
Pb(s) + Cu2+(aq) Cu(s) + Pb2+
(aq)
N
N
N
Y
Zn(s) + Pb2+(aq) Pb(s) +
Zn2+(aq)
N
Y
Fe(s) + Cu2+(aq) Cu(s) +
Fe2+(aq)
N
Y
Zn(s) + 2Ag+(aq) 2Ag(s) +

Galvanic Cells
Using the electrons:
Instead of reacting the oxidant and
reductant directly, you can separate
the reactants and have the electron
transfer happen through an external
wire.

Components of a Galvanic
Cell

Anode

external

Cathode

internal

The Galvanic Cell aka Electrochemical Cell

Galvanometer detects flow of eBeaker B:
Beaker A:
Zinc strip
Copper strip
Dilute Zinc Chloride
Dilute Copper Sulphate

salt bridge
contains a soluble
ionic substance
that allows the
circuit to be
completed.

Zinc is losing electrons

Oxidation!
e--

e--

Zn(s) > Zn2+(aq) + 2e

Cu2+(aq) + 2e> Cu(s)

Copper is gaining electrons Reduction!

A Closer Look at Oxidation

Zn(s) > Zn2+(aq) + 2e

The electrons lost by zinc travel

through the wire to the copper
solution
The electrons are lost from zinc
atoms, forming ions.
2e

Zn2+
2e

Zn
Zn 2+

2e

These ions have to return to

solution in the form of Zn2+ ions

Zn
Zn2+
2e

(aq)

Zn
Zn2+

2e

2e`

Zn
Zn2+

Zn
Zn2+
(aq)

(aq)
(aq)

(aq)
(aq)

The metal gradually loses mass

as metal atoms form metal ions
in solution.

(aq)

Given the zinc strip is the source of the negatively charged electrons
we assign this half cell as the anode.
The negative anode is the cell which undergoes oxidation! This is
dependent on which metals are part of the electrochemical cell not
always zinc

e- flow

A closer look at reductio

The electrons lost by zinc travel
through the wire to the copper
solution.
In the copper solution are Cu2+
ions (aq)
The ions receive (gain) the
electrons and as a result form
Cu(s) atoms.

Cu2+
Cu2+

Cu
Cu2+
Cu2+
Cu

Cu2+(aq) + 2e> Cu(s)

The atoms then combine with

the copper strip to add further
mass.

The Salt Bridge

Anions migrate towards the half cell that contains the
anode
Cations migrate towards the half cell that contains the
cathode
K+

Cu

2+

NO3-

Ions in salt
bridge balance
the change of
ion
concentration
in each half
cell

2e
Zn 2+

ronger oxidant (will undergo reduction)

Complete this diagram

of galvanic cell for
Ni(s) and Pb2+(aq)

Stronger reductant (will undergo oxidation)

e- (from Ni to Pb)

+
Negatively charged anode

Positively charged cathode

Ni2+

Ni2+/Ni half-equation: Ni(s) Ni2+(aq) Pb2+/Pb half-equation: Pb2+(aq) + 2e Pb(s)

+ 2e
Reduction
Oxidation

A galvanic cell is set up by combining the A2+(aq)/A(s) and B2+

(aq)/B(s) half- cells via a conducting wire and a salt bridge.
After some time, the A and B electrodes are taken out of the
half-cells and reweighed. The mass of the A electrode has
increased, whereas the mass of the B electrode has
decreased. Complete the labeling of the galvanic cell shown
below including the overall redox equation for the reaction
occurring in the cell.
e-

A is the positively charged cathode

B is the negatively charged a

A2+/A half-equation: A2+(aq) + 2e A(s)

B2+/B half-equation: B(s) B2+(aq) + 2e
Reduction
Oxidation

Overall Equation: A2+(aq) + B(s) A(s) + B2+(aq)

To be completed:
Now:
Worksheet
Textbook question 15 (13 and 14 should be
complete from last class for those who were
absent)
Homework:
Textbook questions: 22, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31,
32, 36, 37, 38, 40, 42, 43, 46, 47, 50
W/S booklet: worksheet 14.1 and 14.2

Prac: Galvanic cells

AIM: To construct and observe several galvanic cells and to use
experimental data to create an electrochemical series
MATERIALS:
Zn(s)/Zn2+(aq)

Mg(s)/Mg2+(aq)

RESULTS:

Cell

Fe(s)/Fe2+(aq)
Cu2+(aq)
Cu(s)/Cu2+(aq)
2e-

Fe(s)/Fe2+(aq)

Cell
Voltage
0.56V

Cu(s)/Cu2+(aq)

Half cell equations

Oxida Reduct
Cathode (+): Cu2+(aq) + 2e- nt
Cu(s) Fe(s)ant
Anode (-):

Fe(s) Fe2+(aq) +

DISCUSSION:
1. Create an electrochemical series from your data (order reduction
equations for each conjgate redox pair from strongest oxidant to weakest)
2. Compare with the electrochemical series in the textbook and comment.

Holiday homework
Textbook questions for redox chem:
22, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 36, 37, 38,
40, 42, 43, 46, 47, 50
W/S booklet: worksheet 7 10
complete and corrected