Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Redox Reactions
Dr. DeBacco
Redox Reaction
Redox reactions, short for reduction-oxidation reactions, are chemical processes where electrons are transferred between substances
What Happens in a Redox Reaction
Oxidation: A substance loses electrons.
Reduction: A substance gains electrons.
These always happen together… when one substance loses electrons (is oxidized), another gains them (is reduced).
This is where the term “redox” is generated.
Easy Way to Remember
A popular mnemonic:
OIL RIG
LEO says GER
Apple Browning (Oxidation of Polyphenols)
When you slice an apple, it turns brown. That’s a redox reaction!
Oxidation: Polyphenols in the apple react with oxygen
Reduction: Oxygen is reduced in the process
Cellular Respiration (in the Mitochondria)
Glucose gets oxidized to carbon dioxide
Oxygen gets reduced to water
This releases energy that powers your cells
Batteries
In lithium-ion batteries:
Lithium atoms oxidize at the anode (release electrons)
Electrons flow through a circuit to the cathode, where a substance gets reduced
Photosynthesis
Plants convert light energy into chemical energy using carbon dioxide and water, producing glucose and oxygen:
Water (H₂O) is oxidized: It loses electrons and becomes oxygen.
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is reduced: It gains electrons and forms glucose.
Balancing Redox Reactions
Balancing redox reactions involves ensuring that both mass and charge are balanced in a chemical equation, typically using the half-reaction method.
This method involves splitting the reaction into oxidation and reduction half-reactions, balancing each half-reaction separately, and then combining them to get the overall balanced equation.
Link to Lecture Slides: drive.google.com/file/d/1J5pPXNtIu-ur429g--_gGbudG08139y3/view?usp=drive_link
*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for "Redox Reactions" can be viewed at... docs.google.com/document/d/1CybHg9iValSR81jj50BOua8ZLILN0L54/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104237452697237972847&rtpof=true&sd=true
Redox Reactions
Dr. DeBacco
Redox Reaction
Redox reactions, short for reduction-oxidation reactions, are chemical processes where electrons are transferred between substances
What Happens in a Redox Reaction
Oxidation: A substance loses electrons.
Reduction: A substance gains electrons.
These always happen together… when one substance loses electrons (is oxidized), another gains them (is reduced).
This is where the term “redox” is generated.
Easy Way to Remember
A popular mnemonic:
OIL RIG
LEO says GER
Apple Browning (Oxidation of Polyphenols)
When you slice an apple, it turns brown. That’s a redox reaction!
Oxidation: Polyphenols in the apple react with oxygen
Reduction: Oxygen is reduced in the process
Cellular Respiration (in the Mitochondria)
Glucose gets oxidized to carbon dioxide
Oxygen gets reduced to water
This releases energy that powers your cells
Batteries
In lithium-ion batteries:
Lithium atoms oxidize at the anode (release electrons)
Electrons flow through a circuit to the cathode, where a substance gets reduced
Photosynthesis
Plants convert light energy into chemical energy using carbon dioxide and water, producing glucose and oxygen:
Water (H₂O) is oxidized: It loses electrons and becomes oxygen.
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is reduced: It gains electrons and forms glucose.
Balancing Redox Reactions
Balancing redox reactions involves ensuring that both mass and charge are balanced in a chemical equation, typically using the half-reaction method.
This method involves splitting the reaction into oxidation and reduction half-reactions, balancing each half-reaction separately, and then combining them to get the overall balanced equation.
Link to Lecture Slides: drive.google.com/file/d/1J5pPXNtIu-ur429g--_gGbudG08139y3/view?usp=drive_link
*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for "Redox Reactions" can be viewed at... docs.google.com/document/d/1CybHg9iValSR81jj50BOua8ZLILN0L54/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104237452697237972847&rtpof=true&sd=true
