Oxidation x Reduction

[Anonymous No.8740528]

So these names confuse the fuck out of me still, is reduction a gain in electrons because the loss of oxygen leaves oxygen's electrons, while oxidation is oxygen coming in and stealing those electrons?

[Anonymous No.8740552]

>>8740528
Reduction is lowering the formal charge of an element

Oxidation is raising the formal charge of an element.

It's called "oxidation" because oxygen reduces the formal charge of just about anything it forms a compound with. But other elements besides oxygen can act as oxidizing agents as well.

[Anonymous No.8740593]

>>8740528
Just remember "LEO GER"
its stupid as fuck but its easy to think "Lose electrons Oxidation, gain electrons reduction"

[Anonymous No.8740601]

>>8740552

How does it gain electrons when it lowers the charge though? Our book only talks about the gain and loss of electrons, that's why this is so grindy. . ..

>>8740593

I like that

[Anonymous No.8740603]

>>8740601
I am >>8740593
Lowering charge means it makes it more negative. Electrons naturally carry a negative charge, so adding more electrons makes the charge lower. It is easier to imagine if you think of it as charges rather than particles, or you could just use LEO GER

[Anonymous No.8740630]

>>8740603

Well damn, that makes a lot more sense now, I just hate how a lot of my biology books and science books can't break it down so simple, it's like they tell you a sentence in a complex dialect of a language you don't even know and expect you to know the language to begin with.

I give you a puppy :3

[Anonymous No.8740647]

>>8740528
LEO says GER

Lose electrons? Oxidation

Gain electrons? Reduction

Electrons refers to hydrogens in this case. Alternatively, gaining an oxygen is obviously oxidation. And losing an oxygen, is the opposite of oxidation, reduction.

[Anonymous No.8740665]

>>8740647
>>8740593

Fuck LEO GER, remember OILRIG.

Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain

(of electrons)