Revise: Oxidising and reducing agentsSummary - Writing ion-electron equations
Reducing agents donate electrons while oxidising agents gain electrons. Both have various applications in chemistry. Redox reactions involve both reduction and oxidation taking place.
Balance the atoms that are already present on both sides.
If the number of oxygen atoms needs to be balanced, add the same number of water molecules to the opposite side (the side with the lower total oxygen).
Add twice the number of hydrogen ions (H+) as water molecules added to the opposite side.
Complete the equation by adding the total number of electrons needed to balance the overall electrical charge.
The electrochemical series represents a series of reduction reactions and can be found in the Data Booklet.
The strongest oxidising agents are at the bottom of the left-hand column of the elecrochemical series
The strongest reducing agents are at the top of the right-hand column of the electrochemical series
