Ch 3

OXIDATION AND REDUCTION

Atoms, elements and chemical compounds

Chemical reactions with oxygen
Redox reactions
Displacement Reactions
The Galvanic element

Electrolysis The opposit element

Competance Aims

Explain what redox reactions are

Carry out experiments with

combustion, galvanic elements and
electrolysis and elaborate on the
results

ATOMS

Everything is composed of atoms

There are a bit more than 100 different atoms

A substances property is determined from

which atoms it is composed of, and how they
are put together

ATOMIC STRUCTURE

Nucleus Neutrons (n) and positive protons (p+)

Negative electrons (e-) are orbiting around the
nucleus
As many e- as protons = Neutral atom

The atomic number are the number of protons

The Octett-rule
Nobel gasses

Electrons move in different energy levels

shells
2, 8, 18 e- in the three inner shells respectively

But never more than 8 e- in the outer

shell:
Atoms with less than 8 e- are unstable
React easily with other elements

Nobel/inert gasses have 8 e- in the outer shell

and are stable
Will not react with other elements5

ELEMENTS
Joined atoms with the same numbers of protons

ISOTOPES:
Different variations of an atom
Always the equal number of e- and p+
But the number of neutrons (n) can differ

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION:

A compound containing atoms of two or more

elements
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The Periodic Table

Ordered after the proton

number
Horizontal period:

Perio
d

All elements with the same

number of shells

Vertical groups:
All with the same number of

e- in the outer shell

Elements in the same group
have similar properties

The Periodic Table!

Grou
p

The 20 first
elements:

ELECTRONEGATIVITY

Elements to the left give easier away e- to

the elements to the right
Some elements as oxygen and carbon will
share electrons

CHEMICAL BONDS

The purpose of the life of an atom is to

have a full (8 e-) outer shell with
electrons

Its achieved by:

Covalent bonding sharing of e Ionic bonding giving or receiving e-

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IONIC BONDS

The electrostatic force that arises between the

ions

ION: an atom with a charge, has lost or

received e Build lattices crystals
Salts, minerals

Can dissolve in water

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EX. Of an ionic bond

MAGNESIUM (Mg) and OXYGEN (O):

Magnesium givs two e- to oxygen
Both have now 8 e- in their outer shell (full)
The atoms have now charges = they have

become IONS

Mg
Mg 2+ + 2eO + 2eO2-

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EX: NaCl Table salt

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EX: Magnesium and Chlorine

Mg gives 2 e-, one to each Cl

= Magnesiumchloride (MgCl2) is an ionic
compound

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COVALENT BONDING
(Elektronparbinding)

Creates neutral molecules

Atoms share electrons that move in their outer
shells
All halogens (Gr. VII) and O2, N2, H2, go together
two and two

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Chemical reactions with oxygen

A CHEMICAL REACTION:
Bonds are broken
The atoms connect in new ways
New compounds with different characteristics
are built
Amount and kind of atoms stays the same
before and after a reaction

Ex: Carbon monoxide + Oxygen = Carbon

dioxide
CO + O2
CO2
Balanced?
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OXIDATION

A chemical reaction where e- are given away

The compound becomes oxidated

The e- are often given to oxygen

Wine turns into vinegar, apples get brown, iron

corrodes

Ex:
2Mg
2 CO

O2

+ 02

2MgO

Mg is oxidised to Mg2+

2 CO2 CO is oxidised
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COMBUSTION REACTIONS
COMPLETE:
- Enough O2 available
- Produces CO2, water and heat-energy

INCOMPLETE:
- Not enough O2 available
- Smouldering fire
- Produces poisenous CO and less energy
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REDOX-REACTIONS
- The transfer of electrons
SODIUM AND CHLORINE:
Chlorine has the strongest electronegativity
Na
Cl +

Na+
e-

+ e- = Na is oxidated
Cl- = Cl is reduced

BALANCED: Na+ + Cl-

NaCl

Reduction is gain of electrons (neg. charge)

Oxidation is loss of electrons (pos. charge)
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METALS

Exist in the nature in their oxidised form

(ions):
Minerals and dissolved salts

Nobel metals are those that doesnt react

with O2

Gold (Au) and silver (Ag)

oxidised form
EX: Al Al3+ + 3 eAg
Ag+ + e20

DISPLACEMENT REACTIONS
REACTIVITY SERIES:

Those on top will easier give up

their electrons to those below

The reactivity series song!

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Ex: Copper rod in a Solution

with silver ions
WHAT HAPPENS?
The copper atoms give up e-:
Cu Cu2+ + 2e- (blue)
The silver ions receive these electrons:
Ag+ + e- Ag (coat)

1 copper atom reduces 2 silver ions

BALANCED:
Cu + 2 Ag+ Cu2+ +

2 Ag
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Zinc in a solution with Cu2+

ions

Cu2+ becomes reduced to pure copper metal

Zinc is more reactive than copper

Cu2+ + Zn

Cu + Zn2+
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Galvanic cells - Batteries

The converting of chemical energy into

electricity

Two metal rods, each in a salt solution

The electrons are forced into a wire - usable

energy

Its a spontaneous reaction

Inne i et batteri

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A GALVANIC CELL
The saltbridge evens out the voltage difference

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ELECTROLYSIS

The breaking down of liquid chemical

compounds into their elements by electricity
Used to produce pure metal
Melted ionic compounds and ions in solutions
conduct electricity
Called electrolytes

Electrolysis of NaCl

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Example of an Electrolyte

Any solution that conducts electricity

(contains ions)

EX: CuCl2 Is solved in water to free moving ions

CuCl2

(s)

Cu2+(aq) +

2 Cl-(aq)

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ELECTROLYSIS

Two carbon electrodes,

connected to a power
source, are dipped into the
CuCl2-solution

The energy is stored in the

bonds of the new
compounds
Pure copper Cu
Choride gass Cl2
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WHAT HAPPENS?
The power is turned on:
Cu2+ ions moves to the neg. electrode and joins
with 2 e A deposit of cupper forms

Cu2+(aq) +

2 e- Cu

(s)

(reduction)

Cl- moves to the pos. electrode and gives up e-.

Cl go together two and two and form gas

2 Cl- (aq) 2 e- +

Cl2 (g)

(oxidation)
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APPLICATIONS OF ELECTROLYSIS
Manufacture of useful elements:
Chlorine, aluminum (Norway), zinc

Electroplating:

Less expensive metals (neg. electrode) are

coated with more expensive ones
Chromium, nickel, silver, gold

To prevent corrosion
You dont need to learn about

aluminium production
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