Oxidation & Reduction

Redox reactions are reactions in which particles change charge by either losing or gaining electrons.  Whether a particle loses are gains is determined by its electronegativity, or attraction for shared electrons.  We've actually used this before in single replacement reactions.  A more active metal or nonmetal can replace a less active metal because it can either take or force another element to take electrons.

Reduction occurs when a particle gains electrons.  In other words by gaining negative charges, its charge is reduced.  Oxidation means a particle has lost electron, therefore its charge will become more positive.  There are several pneumonics you can use to remember this.

Thus far we have been balancing reaction only by mass.  We could do this because all the substance were written in neutral form.  Now we are using ions so we also have to balance a reaction by charge.

If the electrons are produced, they are being lost to the particle- they are no longer attached.  If the electrons are a reactant, they are being stuck on the particle- they've been gained.