Chapter 19, Problem 33A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The main characteristics of oxidation-reduction reactions are to be listed.

Concept introduction:

Oxidation: It involves the loss of electrons.

Reduction: It involves the gain of electrons.

The reaction in which oxidation and reduction take place is called a redox reaction.

Answer to Problem 33A

Characteristics of oxidation:

• It involves the loss of electrons.
• Addition of oxygen
• Removal of hydrogen
• Addition of electronegative element
• Removal of an electropositive element
• Increase in oxidation number of the element

Characteristics of reduction:

• It involves the gain of electrons.
• Addition of hydrogen
• Removal of oxygen
• Addition of electropositive element
• Removal of electronegative element
• A decrease in oxidation number of the element

Explanation of Solution

A substance when undergo oxidation is said to be oxidized and which undergo reduction is said to be reduced.

Example of oxidation reaction:

$\begin{array}{l}\text{F}\text{e}\to \text{F}{\text{e}}^{+3}+3{\text{e}}^{-}\end{array}$

Example of reduction reaction:

$\begin{array}{l}\text{F}{\text{e}}^{+3}+3{\text{e}}^{-}\to \text{F}\text{e}\end{array}$

Conclusion

Thus it can be concluded that

Oxidation involves:

• Loss of electrons
• Addition of oxygen
• Removal of hydrogen
• Addition of electronegative element
• Removal of an electropositive element
• Increase in oxidation number of the element

Reduction involves:

• A gain of electrons
• Addition of hydrogen
• Removal of oxygen
• Addition of electropositive element
• Removal of electronegative element
• A decrease in oxidation number of the element