Redox Reactions Class 11 Notes Chemistry: - Oxidation
Redox Reactions Class 11 Notes Chemistry: - Oxidation
Redox Reactions Class 11 Notes Chemistry: - Oxidation
Chapter 8
• Oxidation
Oxidation is defined as the addition of oxygen/electronegative element to a
substance or rememoval of hydrogen/ electropositive element from a susbtance.
For example,
• Reduction
Reduction is defined as the memoval of oxygen/electronegative element from a
substance or addition of hydrogen or electropositive element to a substance.
For example,
• Oxidation Number
It is the oxidation state of an element in a compound which is the charge assigned to
an atom of a compound is equal to the number of electrons in the valence shell of an
atom that are gained or lost completely or to a large extent by that atom while
forming a bond in a compound.
• Rules for Assigning Oxidation Numbers
(i) The oxidation number of an element in its elementary form is zero.
For example, H2, 02, N2 etc. have oxidation number equal to zero.
(ii) In a single monoatomic ion, the oxidation number is equal to the charge on the
ion. For example, Na+ ion has oxidation number of +1 and Mg2+ ion has +2.
(iii) Oxygen has oxidation number -2 in its compounds. However, there are some
exceptions.
Compounds such as peroxides. Na202, H202
oxidation number of oxygen = – 1 In OF 2
O.N. of oxygen = +2 02F2
O.N. of oxygen = +1
(iv) In non-metallic compounds of hydrogen like HCl, H 2S, H2O oxidation number of
hydrogen = + 1 but in metal hydrides oxidation number of hydrogen = -1
[LiH, NaH, CaH2 etc.]
(v) In compounds of metals and non-metals metals have positive oxidation number
while non-metals have negative oxidation number. For example, In NaCl. Na has +1
oxidation number while chlorine has -1.
(vi) If in a compound there are two non-metallic atoms the atoms with high
electronegativity is assigned negative oxidation number while other atoms have
positive oxidation number.
(vii) The algebraic sum of the oxidation number of all atoms in a compound is equal
to zero.
(viii) In poly atomic ion the sum of the oxidation no. of all the atoms in the ion is equal
to the net charge on the ion.
For example, in (C03)2—Sum of carbon atoms and three oxygen atoms is equal to -2.
Fluorine (F2) is so highly reactive non-metal that it displaces oxygen from water.
Fractional O.N. of a particular element can be claculated only if we know about the
structure of the compound or in which it is present.
• Balancing of Redox Reactions
(i) Oxidation Number Method. Following steps are involved:
(ii) Write the correct formula for each reactant and product.
(b) By assigning the oxidation change in oxidation number can be identified.
(c) Calculate the increase and decrease in oxidation number per atom with respect
to the reactants. If more than one atom is present then multiply by suitable
coefficient.
(d) Balance the equation with respect to all atoms. Balance hydrogen and oxygen
atoms also.
(e) If the reaction is carried out in acidic medium, use H + ions in the equation. If it is
in basic medium use OH– ions.
(f) Hydrogen atoms in the expression can be balanced by adding (H 20) molecules to
the reactants or products.
If there are the same number of oxygen atoms on the both side of equation then it
represents the balanced redox reaction.
(ii) Half Reaction Method. In this method two half equation are balanced separately
and than added together to give balanced equation.