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Chemical Reactions

Oxidation and reduction in terms of oxygen

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 1

Overview

Oxidation and reduction as the gain and loss of oxygen, identifying what is oxidised and reduced when carbon reduces copper oxide, oxidising and reducing agents, carbon monoxide as the reducing agent for iron oxide, magnesium burning in air, and why oxidation and reduction always happen together.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

In terms of oxygen, explain what a reducing agent is, name the reducing agent in Fe₂O₃ + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO₂, say whether magnesium burning in air is oxidised or reduced, and why oxidation and reduction always happen together.

Key term

Define oxidation in terms of oxygen.

Key term

Define reduction in terms of oxygen.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Define oxidation in terms of oxygen.

    Model answer

    Oxidation is the gain of oxygen by a substance.

  2. 2

    Define reduction in terms of oxygen.

    Model answer

    Reduction is the loss of oxygen from a substance.

  3. 3

    In 2CuO + C → 2Cu + CO₂, state which substance is oxidised and which is reduced.

    Model answer

    Carbon is oxidised because it gains oxygen, and copper oxide is reduced because it loses oxygen.

  4. 4

    What is an oxidising agent?

    Model answer

    A substance that oxidises another substance by giving oxygen to it, and is itself reduced.

  5. 5

    What is a reducing agent?

    Model answer

    A substance that reduces another substance by taking oxygen away from it, and is itself oxidised.

  6. 6

    In Fe₂O₃ + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO₂, name the reducing agent and explain your choice.

    Model answer

    Carbon monoxide, because it removes oxygen from the iron oxide and is itself oxidised to carbon dioxide.

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