Redox Reactions

  • Atoms have a change in oxidation state

Reduction

  • GAIN in electrons
  • decrease in oxidation state

Oxidation

  • LOSS of electrons
  • increase in oxidation state

example → hydrogen + fluorine

oxidation reaction – H_{2}\rightarrow 2H^{+}+2e^{-}

reduction reaction – F_{2}+2e^{-}\rightarrow 2F^{-}

H_{2}+F_{2}+2e^{-}\rightarrow 2H^{+}+2F^{-}+2e^{-}

H_{2}+F_{2}\rightarrow 2HF