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Chemical Changes

Oxidation and reduction at the electrodes

  • 2 things to know
  • Paper 1

Overview

Oxidation and reduction as the loss and gain of electrons, deciding whether chloride, copper and lead ions are oxidised or reduced, why the two always happen together, and why reduction occurs at the cathode and oxidation at the anode.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Define oxidation in terms of electrons.

Key term

Define reduction in terms of electrons.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Define oxidation in terms of electrons.

    Model answer

    Oxidation is the loss of electrons.

  2. 2

    Define reduction in terms of electrons.

    Model answer

    Reduction is the gain of electrons.

  3. 3

    A chloride ion changes into a chlorine atom. State whether it has been oxidised or reduced, and why.

    Model answer

    It has been oxidised, because it has lost an electron.

  4. 4

    A copper ion changes into a copper atom. State whether it has been oxidised or reduced, and why.

    Model answer

    It has been reduced, because it has gained electrons.

  5. 5

    Explain why oxidation and reduction must always happen together during electrolysis.

    Model answer

    The electrons released at one electrode are the same electrons that are taken in at the other.

  6. 6

    In the change Pb²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Pb, state what has happened to the lead ion.

    Model answer

    It has been reduced by gaining two electrons.

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Key Concepts in Chemistry
States of Matter and Mixtures
Chemical Changes
Extracting Metals and Equilibria

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AChlorine is a pale green gas at room temperature.
BBromine is a red-brown liquid at room temperature.
CIodine is a dark grey solid at room temperature.

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