4.5 - Oxidation and reduction involving oxygen
Track oxygen through reactions to identify oxidation and reduction. You will learn to name the substance that changes and explain whether it gains or loses oxygen.
Gain and loss of oxygen
Oxidation and reduction involving oxygen
Oxidation is gain of oxygen. Reduction is loss of oxygen.
For example, magnesium is oxidised when it burns:
2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO
Magnesium gains oxygen and forms magnesium oxide. To explain oxidation, name the starting substance and link it to oxygen gain.
Reduction reverses this kind of oxygen change. In the reaction below, copper(II) oxide loses oxygen and is reduced to copper:
CuO + H₂ → Cu + H₂O
Hydrogen gains that oxygen and forms water, so hydrogen is oxidised. Oxygen has been transferred, not destroyed. Copper(II) oxide is the substance reduced; copper is its product.
Follow both reactants
Consider the reaction of copper(II) oxide with carbon on heating:
2CuO + C → 2Cu + CO₂
| Reactant | Oxygen change | Redox change |
|---|---|---|
| Copper(II) oxide | Loses oxygen to form copper | Reduced |
| Carbon | Gains oxygen to form carbon dioxide | Oxidised |
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