Some Redox Terms

Oxidation is loss of electrons Reduction is gain of electrons An Oxidizing Agent is an electron acceptor An Oxidizing Agent causes another species to lose electrons and is itself reduced. A Reducing Agent is an electron donor A Reducing Agent causes another species to gain electrons and is itself oxidized A Half Reaction shows part of the actual electron transfer. It takes two half reactions to make a complete redox reaction. O2(g) + 4 H+ + 4 e- 2 H2O(l) The Oxidation Number of oxygen changes from 0 in O2 to -2 in H2O.