Reduction Potential of a Half-Reaction
A redox reaction has two half-reaction and each half reaction has a standard electrode potential. This standard electrode potential equals the voltage produced by the electrochemical cell in which half-reaction is considered as cathode reaction, while standard hydrogen electrode act as anode.
The voltage produced by half-reactions is called their reduction potentials. It is denoted by E°red. For the oxidizing agents stronger than H+ the reduction potential of half reaction is considered to be positive whereas those are weaker than H+ are considered to be negative.
Reduction potentials of some ions include +2.866 V for F2 and -0.763 V for Zn2+.
Identification of Oxidizing and Reducing Agents
Oxidizing and Reducing Agents are identified as,
- Element which are is in higher oxidation state in a compound behaves as oxidizing agent such as KMnO4, K2Cr2O7, HNO3, H2SO4, HClO4
- Element which are is in lower oxidation state in a compound behaves as as a reducing agent such as H2S, H2C2O4, FeSO4, SnCl2
- If high electronegative element is in its highest oxidation state is behaves as oxidizing agent.
- The compound acts as a reducing agent if a highly electronegative element is in its lowest oxidation state.
Example: Identify the oxidizing agent and reducing agent in the reactions.
Redox Reactions
Redox Reactions are oxidation and reduction reactions that happen simultaneously in a chemical reaction and in this, the reactant undergoes a change in its oxidation state. Redox stands for Reduction – Oxidation. Redox reaction is a common term used in both Chemistry and Biology. They are a certain type of chemical reaction in which the substrate’s oxidation states change.
A reduction is a decrease in the oxidation state or a gain in electrons, whereas oxidation is the loss of electrons or an increase in the oxidation state. A redox reaction involves the transfer of electrons between two species. Redox reactions can occur in two ways, by the electron transfer and by the atom transfer of the chemical species involved in a chemical reaction. Redox Reaction is important for class 10 and class 11 students.
In this article, you will read about what is a redox reaction, its definition, types, and examples of redox reactions.
Table of Content
- What is a Redox Reaction?
- Types of Redox Reactions
- Examples of Redox Reactions
- Oxidation and Reduction Reaction
- Oxidizing and Reducing Agents
- Reduction Potential of a Half-Reaction
- Balancing Redox Reaction
- Real-life Applications of Redox Reaction
- Uses of Redox Reaction