Dr Soe Kyaw Kyaw

(Ph D, Chemistry)

CHEMISTRY
GRADE 11

Study Guide

CHAPTER 5
OXIDATION AND REDUCTION
DrSKK PhD (Chemistry)

CHAPTER ( 5 )
OXIDATION AND REDUCTION

Oxidation and Reduction

(1) In terms of Oxygen
Oxidation is the addition of oxygen to a substance.
Reduction is the removal of oxygen from a substance.

(2) In terms of Electronegative Element

Oxidation is the addition of electronegative element to a substance.
Reduction is the removal of electronegative element from a substance.

(3) In terms of Hydrogen

Oxidation is the removal of hydrogen from a substance.
Reduction is the addition of hydrogen to a substance.

(4) In terms of Electropositive Element

Oxidation is the removal of electropositive element to a substance.
Reduction is the addition of electropositive element from a substance.

(5) In terms of Electron Transfer

Oxidation is the loss of electrons by an element, compound or ion.
Reduction is the gain of electrons by an element, compound or ion.

(6) In terms of Oxidation Number

Oxidation is an increase in oxidation number.
Reduction is a decrease in oxidation number.

Oxidizing Agent
An oxidizing agent is an acceptor of electrons.
(or)
An oxidizing agent causes the oxidation of another species, and in the process
it is reduced.
Reducing Agent
A reducing agent is a donor of electrons.
(or)
Reducing agent causes the reduction of another species, and in the process it
is oxidized.
DrSKK 2 PhD (Chemisry)

Example of Oxidizing Agent and Reducing Agent

Oxidizing Agent Reducing Agent
1. Oxygen 1. Hydrogen
2. Chlorine 2. Carbon
3. Nitric acid 3. Carbon monoxide
4. Potassium permanganate 4. Hydrogen sulphide
5. Potassium dichromate 5. Sulphur dioxide
6. Sulphuric acid (conc:) 6. Iron (II) oxide
7. Hydrogen peroxide 7. Sodium sulphite

Rule of Oxidation number (Oxidation States)

(1) The algebraic sum of the oxidation numbers all atoms in a formula is equal to the net
charge on the group of atoms represented by the formula.
eg. The sum of oxidation number in NaCl must be zero and in must be -1.
(2) All elements in the free state (i.e., uncombined with any other elements) have oxidation
number of zero.
eg., C, Al, H2, O2, O3, P4, S8
(3) In a simple ions, the oxidation number is the same as the charge on the ions.
eg., The ion Al3+ has an oxidation numberof +3 and the ions S2- has -2.
(4) The alkali metals (Group IA metals) always have an oxidation number of + 1, and the
alkaline earth metals ( Group IIA metals ) always have an oxidation number of + 2 in
their compounds.
(5) The oxidation number of oxygen in its compounds is taken to be -2.
(Expect in O3 and peroxides H2O2, Na2O2, BaO2)
(6) The oxidation number of hydrogen in its compounds is taken to be +1.
(expect in H2, and ionic hydrides (metal hydrides ) )
(7) The oxidation number of halogens in their halides binary compounds.
(eg., NaCl, HBr, KI, etc.,) have an oxidation number of -1.
But ClO3 is a binary compound but not halide binary compound and KClO3 is also not. It
may or may not -1 in these compounds.

Oxidation- Reduction Reaction (Redox Reaction)

Reactions in which simultaneous oxidation and reduction are occurring
are known as redox reaction.

Eg. Mg + ½ O2 MgO
Mg Mg2+ + 2e- ( Mg is oxidized)
½ O2 + 2e- O2- (O2 is reduced)
Eg. Electrolytic process involves redox reactions. A cathode is a source of electrons
(electrons donor) and it is a reducing agents. So, Cation is reduced at cathode (CRC).
Eg. An anode is electrons acceptor and it is an oxidizing agents. So, anion oxidized at
anode (AOA).

Balancing Oxidation-Reduction in Equations

Two methods have been developed for redox reactions.
(1) Oxidation number method, and
(2) Ion-electron (half-reaction) method.
 DrSKK 3 PhD (Chemisry)

(1) Oxidation number method

(i) (a) To find which elements change oxidation number.
(b) To assign oxidation numbers to finds the elements that undergo changes in
oxidation numbers. (For only one atom)
(iii) (a) Draw an arrow to connect atoms of the element that are oxidized. Show the
increase in oxidation number in terms of total oxidized electrons (negative
sign).
(b) Draw an arrow to connect atoms of the element that are reduced. Show the
decrease in oxidation number in terms of total reduced electrons (positive
sign).
(b) Determine the factors that will make the total oxidized and reduced electrons
equal.
(iii) Insert coefficients into the equation to make the total oxidized and reduced
atoms equal.
(iv) Balance the other atoms by inspection.

(2) Ion- electron (half-reaction) method

(i) (a) To omit ions which do not change in the reaction.
( To show complete formulae poly atomic ions and molecules that have
oxidized and reduced atoms.)
(ii) (b) To identify the elements oxidized and reduced.
(c) To construct a half-equation for oxidation and reduction separately.
(iii) (a) To balance the inspection all atoms in the half-reactions except O and H.
(b) To balance O and H, the following chart shows how to balance these
elements:
To balance O: and To balance H:
acidic Add H2O then Add H+

Type of solution To balance O: To balance H:

For each O needed, For each H needed,
(1) add TWO OH- to (1) add ONE H2O to
acidic side needing O and OR side needing O and
(2) add ONE H2O to (2) add TWO OH- to
other side other side
DrSKK 4 PhD (Chemisry)

(iv) (a) To balance the charges in each half-reaction by adding electrons as;
reactant for reduction reaction (gain of electrons) and product for
reduction reaction (lose of electrons).
(c) To balance the electrons transfer by multiplying the balance half-reactions
the same by appropriate coefficients (integers).
(vi) To add the resulting half-reactions and eliminate any common terms to obtain
the balanced equation.

eg 1. K 2 Cr2 O 7 + HI + HClO 4  → KClO 4 + Cr(ClO 4 ) 3 + I 2 + H 2 O

Step 1.
Cr2 O 72- + I - + H + → Cr 3+ + I 2 + H 2 O
Step 2.
Cr2 O 72-  → Cr 3+ (reduced)
I- 
→ I 2 (oxidized)
Step 3.
Cr2 O 72- + 14H + 
→ 2Cr 3+ + 7H 2 O
2I - 
→ I 2
Step 4.

Step 5.

eg. 2. MnO -4 + NO -2 + H 2 O 
→ NO 3- + MnO 2 + OH -
Step 1. Non

Step 2.
MnO -4 
→ MnO 2 (reduced)
NO -2 → NO3- (oxidized)
Step 3.
MnO -4 + 2H 2 O 
→ MnO 2 + 4OH -
NO -2 + 2OH -  → NO3- + H 2 O
Step 4.
MnO -4 + 2H 2 O + 3 es 
→ MnO 2 + 4OH - ⇐ x 2
NO -2 + 2OH -  → NO3- + H 2 O + 2 es ⇐ x 3
DrSKK 5 PhD (Chemisry)

Step 5. 2OH-
2MnO -4 + 4H 2 O + 6 es → 2MnO 2 + 8OH -
3NO -2 + 6OH - 
→ 3NO3- + 3H 2 O + 6 es
2MnO -4 + 3NO -2 + H 2 O 
→ 3NO3- + 2MnO 2 + 2OH -

Note for Objectives

Concepts of Oxidation and Reduction
1.

2. Metallic elements tend to donate electrons.

3. Non-metallic elements tend to attract electrons.
4. Oxidation numbers (oxidation stated) have been used as a device for assigning as
electrical charge to an atom in a molecule.
5. Rules for oxidation number
(i) sum of oxidation number = the net charges
(ii) free element or states = zero
(iii) simple ion = the charge on the ion
(iv) Li, Na, K (Gp IA metals) in a compound = always + 1
Be, Mg Ca, Ba (Gp IIA metals) in a compound = always + 2
(v) oxygen in a compound = -2 (except peroxide= -1)
(vi) hydrogen in a compound = -1 (expect metallic hydride = -1)
(vii) halogen in a halide binary compound = -1

Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
1. Every oxidation must be accompanied by a corresponding reduction and vice versa.
2. Electrolytic process involves redox reactions.
3. Electrochemical reaction is a redox reaction.
4. A cathode is a source of electrons, electron donors and it is reducing agents.
5. An anode is an electron acceptor and it is oxidizing agents.
6. Oxidation reduction reactions involve the transfer of electron from the reducing agent to
the oxidizing agent.

Balancing Oxidation-Reduction Equations

1. Two methods have been developed for balancing oxidation-reduction (redox) equations.
2. The sum total of oxidation must be equal the sum total of reduction in the overall
chemical reaction.
3. The number of electrons donated by the reducing agent must be equal to the number of
electros accepted by the oxidizing agent.
DrSKK 6 PhD (Chemisry)

Question and problems

For Question No. 6 and 7

1. What is the oxidation number for the underlined element in each of the following
substances?
(a) PCl3 (b) Cr 2 O 72- (c) H NO 3 (d) K ClO 3 (e) P 4
(f) M nO -4 (g) N 2 O (h) NH 3 (i) S2 O 62- (j) NaHCO 3
2. Calculate the oxidation number of chlorine from the followings.
(i) HCl (ii) HClO4 (iii) NaClO3 (iv) NaCl
(v) HOCl (vi) HClO4 (vii) NaOCl (viii) HClO3
(ix) Cl2 (x) PCl5 (xi) Cl2O (xii) Cl2O7
(xiii) Cu2Cl2 (xiv) KClO3 (xv) NaClO (xvi) NaClO4
(xvii) KClO2 (xviii) Cl2O7
3. Calculate the oxidation number of sulphur from the followings.
(i) H2SO4 (ii) SO2 (iii) NaHSO4 (iv) H2S (v) SO2
(vi) H2SO3 (vii) Na2S2O3 (viii) K2SO4 (ix) S8 (x) SO32-
4. Calculate the oxidation number of nitrogen from the followings.
(i) NO (ii) N2O (iii) NO2 (iv) N2O5 (v) HNO3
(vi) HNO2 (vii) NO3 -
(viii) NO2 -
(ix) NH4 +

5. Find the oxidation number of phosphorus from the followings.

(i) P4 (ii) P4O10 (iii) H3PO4 (iv) H3PO3
(v) H2PO4 (vi) HPO4
- 2-
(vii) PO4 3-

6. Which of the following equations represent oxidation-reduction reactions? Identify each

oxidizing and reducing agent.
(i) H 2S + Cl 2  → S + 2HCl
(ii) 2H 2 O + Cl 2  → 4HCl + O 2
+
(iii) 2CrO 4 + 2H 
2-
→ Cr2 O 72- + H 2 O
(iv) CuO + H 2SO 4 
→ CuSO 4 + H 2 O
(v) PbO + C  → Pb + CO
3+
(vi) Fe + Al  → Fe + Al3+
7. State which reactant is oxidized and which reactant is reduced in each of the following
reactions. Give reason for your answers.
(i) 2Na + 2H 2O  → 2NaOH + H 2
(ii) Cu + CuCl 2  → 2CuCl
(iii) SO 2 + H 2O + NaClO  → NaCl + H 2SO 4
8. Identify the oxidizing and reducing agents in your selected reaction and give reason for
your answer.
(i) SO 2 + I 2 + H 2O  → 2HI + H 2SO 4
(ii) 2H 2O + Cl 2 
→ 4HCl + O 2
(iii) Br 2 (g) + H 2 (g) 
→ 2HBr(g)
(iv) H 2O 2 + 2HCl + 2KI  → 2KCl + I 2 + H 2O
(v) 2FeCl 2 (s) + 2Cl 2 (g) 2FeCl 3 (s)
DrSKK 7 PhD (Chemisry)

9. Write the oxidation number of the underlined atoms and from the corresponding loss and
gain of electrons, find the required mole ratio of HI/HNO3.
H I + H NO 3 
→ I 2 + NO + H 2 O
10. Answer the following questions.
(a) What is a loss of electrons called?
(b) What is a gain of electrons called?
(c) Are oxidizing agents good or bad at accepting electrons?
(d) Are reducing agents good or bad at accepting electrons?
(e) In the equation
2Br-(aq) + Cl2(g) 2Cl-(aq) + Br2(g)
(i) What is being oxidized?, (ii) What is being redued?
(iii) Which is the oxidizing agent? (iv) Which is the reducing agent?
11. Select (a) an oxidizing agent and (b) a reducing agent from the following list:
Carbon, potassium permanganate, chlorine, hydrogen sulphide, sodium sulphite, copper
(II) oxide, potassium dichromate, sulphur dioxide, zinc, nitric acid, sulphuric acid,
aluminium, carbon monoxide, oxygen, hydrogen
12. What is an oxidizung agent and reducing agent? Give an example of a common oxidizing
and reducing agent.
13. Write balance equations for the following reactions.
(1) Cr2 O72- + I- + H + 
→ Cr 3+ + I 2 + H 2 O
(2) H 2 O 2 + Cr2 O 72- + H + 
→ Cr 3+ + O 2 + H 2 O
(3) Cr2 O 72- + H + + SO 2 
→ Cr 3+ + SO 24- + H 2 O
(4) → M n2+ + S
M nO-4 + S2- 
(5) → M n2+ + NO3- + OH-
M nO-4 + NO-2 + H 2 O 
(6) M nO-4 + Fe2+ + H + 
→ M n2+ + Fe3+ + H 2 O
(7) H + + NO3- + Fe2+ 
→ NO2 + Fe3+ + H 2 O
(8) H 2O 2 + H + + I- 
→ H 2 O + I 2
(9) Cu 2+ + I - 
→ CuI + I 2
(10) BrO3- + I - + H + 
→ Br - + I 2 + H 2 O
(11) S2- + Cl 2 
→ S + Cl -
14. Write balanced equation for the following reactions.
(1) H 2SO 3 + HNO3 
→ H 2SO 4 + H 2 O + NO
(2) H 2SO 4 + HI 
→ I 2 + H 2S + H 2 O
(3) H 2SO 4 + C 
→ CO 2 + SO 2 + H 2 O
(4) Cu + HNO3 
→ Cu (NO3 ) 2 + H 2 O + NO
(5) SO 2 + H 2 O + NaClO 
→ H 2SO 4 + NaCl
(6) H 2S + KM nO4 + H 2SO 4 
→ M nSO4 + K 2SO 4 + H 2 O + S
(7) CuO + H 2 
→ Cu + H 2 O
(8) H 2 O + Cl 2 
→ HCl + O 2
(9) KI + HCl + H 2 O 2 
→ I 2 + KCl + H 2 O
(10) Fe2 O 3 + CO 
→ Fe + CO 2
DrSKK 8 PhD (Chemisry)

15. Balance the equations.

→ H 2SO 4 + HBr
(1) SO 2 + Br2 + H 2 O 
→ Zn + CO
(2) ZnO + C 
(3) KI + HCl + H 2 O 2 
→ I 2 + KCl + H 2 O
(4) H 2S + Cl 2 
→ HCl + S
(5) ZnO + Cu 
→ Zn + CuO
(6) P4 + HNO3 
→ H 3 PO 4 + NO2 + H 2 O
(7) M nO2 + HCl 
→ M nCl2 + H 2 O + Cl 2
(8) K 2 Cr2 O 7 + HI + HClO 4 → KClO 4 + Cr(ClO 4 ) 3 + I 2 + H 2 O
5. Write balanced equation for the following reactions.
(1) Fe + Cl 2 
→ FeCl3
(2) Fe2 + + Cl 2 
→ Fe3+ + Cl -
(3) M g + O2 
→ M gO
(4) FeCl 2 + Cl 2 
→ FeCl3
(5) Br2 + H 2 
→ HBr
(6) Cl 2 + NaOH 
→ NaCl + NaClO 3 + H 2 O
(7) Br2 + OH- 
→ BrO3- + Br - + H 2 O
(8) →
Cu + CuCl 2  CuCl
(9) H 2S + SO 2 
→ S + H 2 O
6. Which balance equation represents a redox reaction?
(a) AgNO3(aq) + KCl(aq) → AgCl(s) +KNO3(aq)
→ 2KCl(s) + 3O2(g)
(b) 2KClO3(s) 
→ CuO(s) + CO2(g)
(c) CuCO3(s) 
In this reaction, indicate all elements of reactants or products that have changed their
oxidation numbers and give their oxidation numbers.
7. Balancing for the following equations.
(i) HCl + Al  → AlCl 3 + H 2
+
(ii) H (aq) + NO3- (aq) + Cu(s)  → Cu 2 + (aq) + NO(g) + H 2O(l)
(iii) OH − (aq) + Al(s) + H 2O(l) 
→ [Al(OH)4 ]- (aq) + H 2 (g)
(iv) H + + Cr2O 72 - + C 2 H 5OH 
→ Cr 3+ + C 2 H 4O + H 2O
(v) I 2 + S2O32- 
→ I- + S4O62-
(vi) CrO-2 + ClO- + OH - 
→ CrO 24 - + Cl- + H 2O
→ Ca(NO 3 ) 2 + H 2 O + Cl 2
(vii) CaOCl 2 + HNO 3 
(viii) K 2 Cr 2 O 7 + H 2 SO 4 + FeSO 4 
→ K 2 SO 4 + Cr 2 (SO 4 ) 3 + Fe 2 (SO 4 ) 3 + H 2 O
(ix) SO 2 + KMnO 4 + H 2 O 
→ MnSO 4 + K 2 SO 4 + H 2 SO 4
DrSKK 9 PhD (Chemisry)

Objective Questions
A. Write TRUE or FALSE for each of the following statements.
1. Oxidation is the loss of electrons from a substance.
2. Reduction is the loss of electrons by a substance.
3. Reduction is the addition of electronegative elements to a substance.
4. An oxidation is the addition of oxygen to a substance.
5. Any element which increases in oxidation number is said to be reduced.
6. Oxidation reduction reactions involve the transfer of electron from the reducing agent to
the oxidizing agent.
7. Electrochemical reaction is a redox reaction.
8. Every oxidation must be accompanied by a corresponding reduction.
9. Electrolytic process involves the redox reaction.
10. Anions are oxidized at the anode.
11. Oxidation reaction takes place at the anode in an electrochemical reaction.
12. Reduction brings about a decrease in oxidation number.
13. In the electrolytic process, reduction always occurs at cathode.
14. Three methods have been developed for balancing redox reactions.
15. FeCl2 has been oxidized to FeCl.
16. Chlorine oxidizes heated iron to iron (III) chloride.
17. Electrons are transferred from an oxidizing agent to a reducing agent.
18. Electropositive elements may be reducing agents.
19. The number of electrons donated by the reducing agent cannot be equal to the number
electrons accepted by the oxidizing agent.
20. Oxidizing agent is a donor of electrons.
21. A reducing agent is a donor of electrons.
22. An oxidizing agent is an acceptor of electrons.
23. Non-metallic elements tend to donate electrons.
24. Non-metallic elements tend to attract electrons.
25. A common laboratory reducing agent is concentrated sulphuric acid.
26. Oxidation number of oxygen in peroxide is -2.
27. Oxidation number of hydrogen in hydrogen peroxide is one.
28. Oxidation number of hydrogen in hydrogen peroxide is +1.
29. The oxidation number of carbon in carbon dioxide is two.
30. Oxidation number of oxygen in its compound is taken to be 1.
31. Oxidation number of oxygen in ozone (O3) is -2.
32. All elements in the free-state have oxidation number of zero.
33. Oxidation number of element in pure form is one.
34. Oxidation number of oxygen in BaO2 is -1.
35. Oxidation number of halogen in halides is 1.
36. The oxidation number of copper in copper (II) ion is 2+.
37. The alkali metals always exhibit an oxidation number of zero in their compounds.
38. The sum of oxidation number of all elements in MnO4- must be -1.
39. The sum of oxidation number of KNO3 must be -1.
40. The group IA elements always exhibit an oxidation number of 1 in their compounds.
41. In a simple ion the oxidation number is the same as the charge on ion.
42. Oxidation number of Al in Al3+ is +3.
43. The sum of oxidation number in NaCl must be zero.
44. Oxidation number of nitrogen in nitric acid, HNO3 is three.
DrSKK 10 PhD (Chemisry)

B. Fill in the blanks with correct word(s), phrases(s) term(s), unit(s) etc.
1. Oxidation number of chromium in Cr2O72- is .............. .
2. An oxidizing agent is an .............. .
3. Oxidation number of an element in pure form is ............... .
4. When the oxidation number of the element is decreased, it is said to be ...... .
5.A common laboratory oxidizing agent is .............. .

C. Select the correct word(s), notation(s), term(s), unit(s), etc., given in the brackets.
1. Oxidation is th (gain, loss, acceptor) of electrons.
2. Oxidation is the removal of (hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen) from a substance.
3. (Reduction, Oxidation, Neutralization) is the gain of electrons.
4. Reduction is the (gain, loss, acceptor) of electrons.
5. An electrochemical reaction is a (an) (redox, catalytic, electron transferring) reaction.
6. Reduction is the addition of (oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen).
7. Oxidation brings about an (increase, decrease, constant) in oxidation number.
8. In the reaction H2S + Cl2 → 2HCl +S, H2S is (oxidized, reduced, neither oxidized or
reduced).
9. In the reaction, 2H2S + SO2 → 2H2O + 3S, (H2S, SO2, none) is oxidized.
10. An oxidizing agent is a (an) (loss, acceptor, donor) of electros.
11. (Oxygen, Electronegative element, Electropositive element) may be reducing agent.
12. A cathode is a (an) (source of electrons, electron acceptor, electron donor).
13. A common laboratory, oxidizing agent is (CuO, CO, KMnO4).
14. Oxidation number of Mn in KMnO 4 is (+4, +5, +7).
15. Oxidation number of sulphur in hydrogen sulphide is (+1, _1, +7).
16. Oxidation number of oxygen in H 2 O 2 is (0, -2, -1).
17. Oxidation number of oxygen in O 3 is taken to be (+2, -2, 0).
18. Oxidation number of potassium in compounds is always (+1, +2, +3).
19. Oxidation number of hydrogen in sodium hydride is (+1, +2, -1).
20. Oxidation number of hydrogen in hydrogen peroxide is (+1, -1, 1).
21. Oxidation number of hydrogen in ionic hydride is taken to be (+1, 0, -1).
22. Chlorine has the oxidation number of +5 in (NaOCl, KClO3, Cr(ClO4)3).
23. Oxidation number of chlorine in Cr(ClO4)3 is (-1, +5, +7).
24. Oxidation number of (chlorine, sodium, oxygen) in NaClO3 is +5.
25. The alkali metals always exhibit an oxidation number of (+1, -1, +2).
26. Oxidation number of metal in pure form is (+1, 0, -1).
27. All elements in the free state have an oxidation number of (+1, 0, -1).
28. Oxidation number of chlorine in NaClO3 is (+1, +5, +7).

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