B15 Rago, John Benedict S.

12-Tesla

Oxidation and Reduction Reactions Workbook

Reference sheets:
The activity series of common metals
Calculating oxidation numbers

Work sheets
1. Oxidation, Reduction, Agents, & Reactions. WS 1

2. Oxidation Numbers Spontaneous Reactions WS 2

3. Oxidation Numbers, Application to Reactions. WS 3

Page 1 of 15 Alscher
 The activity series of common metals
Activity series of elements
elements
Lithium Li ® Li+ + e-
Potassium K ® K+ + e-
Barium Ba ® Ba2+ + 2e-
Calcium Ca ® Ca2+ + 2e-
Sodium Na ® Na+ + e-
Magnesium Mg ® Mg2+ + 2e-
Aluminum Al ® Al3+ + 3e-
Manganese Mn ® Mn2+ + 2e-
Zinc Zn ® Zn2+ + 2e-
Chromium Cr ® Cr3+ + 3e-
Iron Fe ® Fe2+ + 2e-
Cobalt Co ® Co2+ + 2e-
Nickel Ni ® Ni2+ + 2e-
Tin Sn ® Sn2+ + 2e-
Lead Pb ® Pb2+ + 2e-
HYDROGEN H2 ® 2H+ + 2e-
Copper Cu ® Cu2+ + 2e-
Mercury 2Hg ® Hg2 2+ + 2e-
Silver Ag ® Ag + + e-
Mercury Hg ® Hg2+ + 2e-
Platinum Pt ® Pt2+ + 2e-
Gold Au ® Au3+ + 3e-
• Elements that lie near the top of the list are referred to as active metals.
• Elements that lie near the bottom of the activity series are very stable and form compounds less readily.
Notice, also, that the transition elements from groups 8B to 1B are near the bottom of the list. The alkali
and alkaline earth metals are at the top. They are most easily oxidized.
• Any metal on the list can be oxidized by the ions of elements below it. Example: Copper is above silver
in the series. Cu metal can be oxidized by Ag+ to give silver metal and copper ions.
• The following react vigorously with acidic solutions to give hydrogen gas and cations of the metals, and
hydroxide: Li, K, Ba, Ca, Na.
• The following react vigorously with water to give hydrogen gas and cations of the metals, and hydroxide:
Li, K, Ba, Ca, Na.
• The following react with acid to give hydrogen gas and cations of the metal, but not vigorously: Mg,
Al, Zn, Cr, Fe, Cd, Co, Ni, Sn, Pb.
• The following react slowly with water but readily with steam to give hydrogen gas and cations: Mg, Al,
Zn, Cr, Fe, Cd.
• The following do not react with acids (HCl, HBr, HI) to give hydrogen: Cu, Hg, Ag, Au, Pt.

Page 2 of 15
 Calculating oxidation numbers
Oxidation numbers are bookkeeping numbers. They mark the flow of electrons and are useful
for balancing redox (reduction/oxidation) equations. Oxidation numbers are positive or negative
numbers, but are not the same as valance values or the actual charge on ions or atoms.
General rules: they always apply
Oxidation numbers are assigned to elements using these rules:
• Rule 1: The oxidation number of an element in its free (uncombined) state is zero — for
example, Al(s) or Zn(s). This is also true for elements found in nature as diatomic (two-atom)
elements: H2, O2, S8.
• Rule 2: The oxidation number of a monatomic (one-atom) ion is the same as the charge on the
ion, for example: Na+, S2—
• Rule 3: The sum of all oxidation numbers in a neutral compound is zero. The sum of all
oxidation numbers in a polyatomic (many-atom) ion is equal to the charge on the ion. This
rule often allows chemists to calculate the oxidation number of an atom that may have
multiple oxidation states, if the other atoms in the ion have known oxidation numbers.
• Rule 4: The oxidation number of an alkali metal (IA family) in a compound is +1; the
oxidation number of an alkaline earth metal (IIA family) in a compound is +2.
• Rule 5: The oxidation number of oxygen in a compound is usually –2. If, however, the oxygen is
in a class of compounds called peroxides (for example, hydrogen peroxide), then the oxygen
has an oxidation number of –1. If the oxygen is bonded to fluorine, the number is +1.
• Rule 6: The oxidation state of hydrogen in a compound is usually +1. If the hydrogen is part of a
binary metal hydride (compound of hydrogen and some metal), then the oxidation state of
hydrogen is –1.
• Rule 7: The oxidation number of fluorine is always –1. Chlorine, bromine, and iodine usually have
an oxidation number of –1, unless they’re in combination with an oxygen or fluorine.
These rules give you another way to define oxidation and reduction — in terms of oxidation
numbers. For example, consider this reaction, which shows oxidation by the loss of electrons:
Zn(s) ® Zn2+(aq) +2 e—
Notice that the zinc metal (the reactant) has an oxidation number of zero (rule 1), and the zinc
cation (the product) has an oxidation number of +2 (rule 2). In general, you can say that a
substance is oxidized when there’s an increase in its oxidation number. Reduction works the same
way. Consider this reaction:
Cu2+(aq)+ 2e—® Cu(s)
The copper is going from an oxidation number of +2 to zero. A substance is reduced if there’s a
decrease in its oxidation number. The rules below are used to predict oxidation numbers.

Special Rules: read carefully!

These rules only apply to certain columns on the Periodic Table. They often combine with the
general rules. You might need a periodic table as a reference.
The first rules apply to the main group elements. Different Periodic Tables label these in
different ways, so two types of numbers are given. The currently accepted method is to use the
numbers 1-2 and 13-18 for the representative elements. Older tables used IA-VIIIA (or IB -VIIIB).
Each of the rules will use both methods with the newer method of labeling given in parentheses.
Note: These are the most common/stable oxidation numbers. There are exceptions in addition to
the ones given below. These values refer to these elements in compounds. General Rule 1 still
applies to the elements in the elemental state.

Page 3 of 15
 Representative elements (The A’s)
1. Column IA (1) +1 (Except H with a metal, then H = -1)
2. Column IIA (2) +2
3. Column IIIA (13) +3 (Normally, however +1 possible near the bottom of the table)
4. Column IVA (14) +4 to -4
5. Column VA (15) +5 to -3
6. Column VIA (16) +6 to -2 (Oxygen is -2 except when combined with F, or in O2 or O22-)
7. Column VIIA (17) +7 to -1 (Fluorine is -1 in compounds)
8. Column VIIIA (18) +8 to 0 (Usually only 0)

Transition elements (The B’s)

Transition Metals IIIB-IIB (3-12). If the B designation is used the values may range from +2 to
the group number. If the other designation is used, the values may range from +2 to the group
number for columns 3-8 and to the group number minus 10 for groups 11 and 12 (treat columns 9
and 10 as if they were 7 and 6 respectively). Exceptions: Hg 22+ (Hg = +1) and Au3+ (Au = +3).
When an element may have a positive or negative oxidation number, it will normally be negative
if it is to the upper right, on the Periodic Table, with respect to the other elements in the compound
or ion.
When it is negative, under these circumstances, it will probably have the most negative of the
possible values noted in the rules above. Note that in Special Rules 4-8 the range of possible
values is always eight. With these elements, the
more probable oxidation states may be determined by counting from highest to lowest by twos.

Page 4 of 15
Worksheet #1 Writing half reactions

1. Define each: Remember “Oil Rig”: Oxidation is loss (of e—)reduction is gain (of e—)

a) Oxidation is loss of electrons from a substance

b) Reduction is gain of electrons from a substance

c) Oxidizing agent refers to any substance that can cause a loss of electrons in another
substance by accepting electrons from it while its oxidation number decreases

d) Reducing agent refers to a substance that can cause a gain of electrons in another
substance while its oxidation number increases

2. Write half reactions for each of the following atoms or ions. Label each as oxidation or
reduction. Use the Activity Series Chart.
a) Al
Al –› Al³+ +3e-
Oxidation

b) Ba2+
Ba²+ +2e- –› Ba
Reduction

c) Br2
Br2 +2e- –› 2Br-
Reduction

d) Ca
Ca –› Ca²+ +2e-
Oxidation

e) Ga3+
Ga³+ +3e- –› Ga
Reduction

f) H2
H2 –› 2H+ +2e-
Oxidation

g) H+
2H+ +2e- –› H2
Reduction

Page 5 of 15
 3. Balance the spontaneous redox reaction below. A spontaneous reaction is a reaction that
occurs: 1) by a driving force that favors the product, 2) the free energy of the product is
lower than the free energy of the reactant, and/or 3) occurs without any outside ‘help’
such as electrolysis. Identify the entities reduced and oxidized. State the reducing agent and
the oxidizing agent.

a) Al+Zn2+
Al +Zn²+ –› Al³+Zn
Oxidized: Al
Reduced: Zn²+
Oxidizing Agent: Zn²+
Reducing Agent: Al

b) F2 + O2-
F2 +O²- –› 2F- +O²
Oxidized: O²-
Reduced: F2
Oxidizing Agent: F2
Reducing Agent: O²-

c) O2 +Ca
O2 +Ca –› Ca²+ +O2

Oxidized: Ca
Reduced: O2
Oxidizing Agent: O2
Reducing Agent: Ca

Balanced equation: O2 +2Ca –› 2Ca²+ +O2

d) Al3+ + Li
Al³+ +Li –› Al +Li+

Oxidized: Li+
Reduced: Al³+
Oxidizing Agent: Al³+
Reducing Agent: Li+

Balanced equation: 2Al³+ +3Li –› 2Al +3Li+

4. Write the oxidation and reduction reactions for each redox reaction. The first one is done
for you.
a) Fe2+ (aq) + Co(s)® Co2+ (aq)+ Fe(s)
(i) Oxidation:Co(s)® Co2+(aq)+2e-

(ii) Reduction:Fe2+(aq)+2e-® Fe(s)

b) Ag+(aq)+Ni(s)® Ni3+(aq)+3 Ag(s)

(i) Oxidation: Ni(s) –› Ni³+(aq) + 3e

 (ii) Reduction: Ag+(aq) + e –› Ag(s)
c) Cu2+ (aq) + Pb(s)® Cu2+(aq)+ Pb(s)

(i) Oxidation: Pb(s) –› Pb²+(aq) + 2e

(ii) Reduction: Cu²+(aq) + 2e –› Cu(s)

d) Sn(s) + O2(g)® O2— + 2Sn2+(aq)

(i) Oxidation: Sn(s) –› Sn²+(aq) + 2e

(ii) Reduction: O2(g) + 4e –› 2O2

e) Co2+(aq)+ 2 F—(aq)® Co(s)+F2(g)

i) Oxidation: Co²+(aq) –› Co(s) + 2e

ii) Reduction: 2F(aq) + 2e –› F2(g)

Page 6 of 15
Worksheet #2 Finding oxidation numbers

1. Determine the Oxidation Number of each of the elements that is underlined.

a) NH3 N=-3 b) H2SO4 S=+6

c) ZnSO3 S=+4 d) Al(OH)3 Al=+3

e) Na Na=+1 f) Cl2 Cl=0

g) AgNO3 N=+5 h) ClO4 -

Cl=+7

i) SO2 S=+4 j) K2Cr2O4 Cr=+3

k) Ca(ClO 3)2 Cl=+5 l) K2Cr2O7 Cr=+6

m) HPO3 2- P=+3 n) HClO Cl=+1

o) MnO2 Mn=+4 p) KClO3 Cl=+5

q) PbO2 Pb=+4 r) PbSO4 Pb=+6

s) K 2SO4 S=+6 t) NH4 +

N=-3

u) Na2O 2 O=-1 v) FeO Fe=+2

w) Fe2O 3 Fe=+3 x) SiO4 4-

O=-2

y) NaIO3 I=+5 z) ClO3 -

Cl=+5

aa) NO 3 -
N=+5 bb) Cr(OH)4 Cr=+3

cc) CaH2 H=-1 dd) Pt(H2O)5(OH)2+ Pt=+4

ee) Fe(H2O)63+ Fe=+3, H=+1, O=-2 ff) CH3COOH C=±3,

H=+1, O=-2

Page 7 of 15
 2. What is the oxidation number of carbon in each of the following substances?

a) CO _____ b) C _____

c) CO2 _____ d) CO3 2- _____

e) C2H6 _____ f) CH3OH _____

3. For each of the following reactants, identify: the oxidizing agent, the reducing agent,
the substance oxidized and the substance reduced.
+ Zn Cu
a) Cu2+ (aq) (s) → (s) + Zn2+ (aq)
Substance oxidized _____ Substance reduced _____
Oxidizing agent _____ Reducing agent _____

Cl
b) 2 (g)+ 2 Na (s) → 2 Na + (aq) + 2 Cl- (aq)
Substance oxidized _____ Substance reduced ____
Oxidizing agent _____ Reducing agent _____

Page 8 of 15 Alscher
Worksheet # 3
Decide if the reaction will go (Spontaneous and Non-spontaneous) Redox Reactions

1. Describe each reaction as spontaneous or non-spontaneous. ® =

a) Au+3+Fe+3 ® Fe+2+Au

b) Pb+Fe Fe+2+Pb+2

c) Cl2+2F—® F2+2Cl—

d) Mg-2+Pb® Mg+Pb+2

e) 2I—+Cl2® 2Cl—+I2

f) Pb+2+Au® Au+3+Pb

2. Can you keep 1 M HCl in an iron container? If the answer is no, write a balanced
equation for the reaction that would occur.

3. Can you keep 1 M HCl in an Ag container? If the answer is no, write a balanced equation for
the reaction that would occur.

4. Can you keep 1 M HNO3 in an Au container? If the answer is no, write a balanced equation for
the reaction that would occur. (Remember, HNO3 consists of two ions H+ and NO3-)

5. Circle each formula that can lose an electron

O2 Cl— Fe Na+

4. Determine the oxidation number for the element underlined

PbSO4 __________ ClO3 -
__________
HP03 2- __________ Na2O2 __________
CaH2 __________ Al2(SO4)3 __________
CH
NaIO3 __________ 4 12 __________
5. For each of the following reactants, identify: the oxidizing agent, the reducing agent, the
substance oxidized and the substance reduced. The equations are NOT balanced-don’t
balance them

Al3++Zn→Al+ Zn2+

Page 9 of 15
 Substance oxidized _______ Oxidizing agent ________

Cr2O7 2—+ClO2 — →Cr3++ClO4 —

Substance reduced ________ Oxidizing agent ________

2—
O3+H2O+SO2 ® SO4 +O2 +2H+

Substance oxidized __________ Reducing agent __________

As2O3+NO3 -—+H2O+H+ →H3AsO4+NO

Substance reduced __________ Reducing agent __________

6. Circle each formula that is able to lose an electron

O2 Cl- Fe Na+