Solvequill Blog · chemistry · 4 min read · 1 views
Redox: electrons have to go somewhere
A simple way to tell oxidation and reduction apart without relying on memory tricks alone.
Published:
Redox is electron bookkeeping. If one species loses electrons, another must gain them.
The main idea
Track oxidation numbers before and after. An increase means oxidation; a decrease means reduction.
A short example
When zinc becomes , it loses two electrons and is oxidized.
Check while you solve
- Assign oxidation numbers.
- Look for increase or decrease.
- Pair every electron loss with an electron gain.
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