All courses › General Chemistry › Redox reactions and electronegativity

Redox reactions and electronegativity

Oxidation is the loss of electrons, reduction is the gain of electrons — the mnemonic is OIL RIG. Electronegativity is an atom's ability to attract electrons in a bond; fluorine has the highest electronegativity. A large electronegativity difference gives an ionic bond, a small difference gives a covalent bond.

Example

In the reaction $\mathrm{Zn + Cu^{2+} \to Zn^{2+} + Cu}$, zinc is oxidized (loses electrons) and the copper ion is reduced (gains electrons).

← Gibbs free energy and spontaneity · Electrolysis and Faraday's law →

Part of General Chemistry: Thermochemistry and electrochemistry.