Chapter 18: Oxidation-Reduction
Enhanced Introductory College Chemistry
by Gregory Anderson; Caryn Fahey; Jackie MacDonald; Adrienne Richards; Samantha Sullivan Sauer; J.R. van Haarlem; and David Wegman;
Chapter Contents
- 18.1 Redox Reactions and Oxidation Numbers
- 18.2 Balancing Redox Reactions
- 18.3 Galvanic Cells
- 18.4 Electrode and Cell Potentials
- 18.5 Batteries and Fuel Cells
- 18.6 Corrosion
- 18.7 Electrolysis
- Summary
- Review
Except where otherwise noted, this OER is licensed under CC BY 4.0
Please visit the web version of Enhanced Introductory College Chemistry to access the complete book, interactive activities and ancillary resources.
In this chapter, you will learn about
- The defining traits of redox chemistry
- Identifying the oxidant and reductant of a redox reaction
- Balancing chemical equations for redox reactions using the half-reaction method
- The function of a galvanic cell and its components
- The definitions of electrodes and cell potentials
- The electrochemistry associated with several common batteries
- Corrosion
- The process of electrolysis
To better support your learning, you should be familiar with the following concepts before starting this chapter:
- Ionic and Covalent Compounds
- Chemical Reactions
- Chemical Stoichiometry
In this chapter we will be introducing the chemistry of reduction-oxidation (redox) reactions. This important reaction class is defined by changes in oxidation states for one or more reactant elements, and it includes a subset of reactions involving the transfer of electrons between reactant species. Around the turn of the nineteenth century, chemists began exploring ways these electrons could be transferred indirectly via an external circuit rather than directly via intimate contact of redox reactants. In the two centuries since, the field of electrochemistry has evolved to yield significant insights on the fundamental aspects of redox chemistry as well as a wealth of technologies ranging from industrial-scale metallurgical processes to robust, rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles (Figure 18.a). In this chapter, the essential concepts of electrochemistry will be addressed.