OXIDIZING AGENT & REDUCING AGENT( in term of electron gain and loss)/Definition, Concept points, & Examples/

-


 Definition

An oxidizing agent -also known as "OXIDIZER" and "OXIDANT"-is a reactant that oxidizes other reactant, by accepting its electron/s. So, oxidizing agent is electron acceptor in  REDOX Reactions.

Examples: O2, O3, Halogens, Sulphuric acid, Nitric acid, and Potassium nitrate.

A Reducing agent - also known as "REDUCTANT" - is a reactant that reduces other reactant, by donating electron/s in REDOX Reactions. So, reducing agent is electron donor in REDOX Reactions.

Examples: H2, CO, Fe, Zn, Formic acid, Alkali metals and Sulphites etc

Concept Points to remember

  • In an oxidizing or reducing agent only one atom is accepting or losing electron/s respectively, not the whole agent.
  • That atom - electron acceptor atom- usually exist in highest oxidation state in Oxidizing agent 
  • That atom - electron donor atom- typically exist in lowest possible oxidation state in reducing agent.   
  • Oxidation number/state of that atom- that accepts electron/s- decreases.
  • Oxidation number/state of atom- that donates electron/s - increases.



Comments

Post a Comment

For any query you are always welcome. Feel free to contact me.

Popular posts from this blog

Alkanes Are Called PARAFFINS WHY?

-
Alkane are the hydrocarbons, all carbon and hydrogen bonds are single covalent bond- all are sigma bonds. Sigma bonds are strong bonds where bonded electrons are tightly held between bonded nuclei. So sigma bonds are inert - have very little reactivity to other reagents like oxidizing , reducing, electrophile , nucleophile, acids and bases. Another factor contributes towards little affinity of alkanes is low polarity of C and H bonds. Electronegativity of carbon is 2.5 and that of hydrogen os 2.1, hence electronegativity difference is just 0.4. which is negligible. Alkane are considered as non- polar molecules. So they are inert towards all sort of reagents.  That os reason alkane are also called PARAFFINS mean little affinity.
Read more

Ionic( cation and anion) size difference from neutral parent atom?

-
Image
Q: Why cation is smaller than its parent atom ? An atom has equal number of positive protons and negative electrons. This atom becomes cation after losing one or more electrons.Due to this imbalance between negative charge electrons and positive charge protons. Protons in Nucleus exerts more force of attraction on electronic shells. As a result cation becomes smaller than its parent atom. for example if we take Na atom it has 11 electrons in shells and 11 protons in nucleus. To become cation, Na loses its one electron from outermost shell. So one electron become less than proton , so more force of attraction exerts on electrons and size of cation becomes small. Q: Why anion is greater than its parent atom? An atom has equal number of positive protons and negative electrons. Atom becomes anion after gaining one or more  electrons. Due to this imbalance between negative charge electrons and positive charge protons.Nuclear charge ( charge due to protons) exerts less at...
Read more

Ionic Bond Formation/ Ionic Compound Formation

-
Image
Ionic bond Formation: In ionic bond formation cation ( formed from metal atom) which is formed by lose of electron/s and gets positive charge  gets attached  to anion (formed from non-metal) by electrostatic force of attraction. Anion is formed by accepting that/those electron/s donating by cation. in case of ionic bond there is no bond by electrons rather opposite charged ions are attached just due to opposite charges. Here we will understand the ionic bond formation by sodium chloride (NaCl) . Sodium ion (Na+)Formation : Sodium(Na) is an atom being atom it is neutral. Its atomic number is 11 means it contains 11 protons in nucleus and 11 electrons in shells. Its valence shell (outer most shell which determine valency) has one electron as shown in the figure. to get stable by octet rule it loses  its one electron from its valence shell and get configuration of nearest nobel gas i.e neon(Ne) as shown in figure Sodium ion Na+ Formation Chloride ion(Cl- i...
Read more