Redox Chemistry and Electricity

In a redox reaction, electrons are transferred from one species to another. A molecule is said to be oxidized when it loses electrons. It is reduced when it gains electrons. An oxidizing agent, also called an oxidant, takes electrons from another substance and becomes reduced. A reducing agent, also called a reductant, gives electrons to another substance and is oxidized in the process. In the reaction 

Oxidation loss of electrons Reduction gain of electrons 

Oxidizing agent takes electrons Reducing agent gives electrons 

Fe is the oxidizing agent because it takes an electron from V. is the reducing 

Fe is reduced (its oxidation state goes down from +3 to +2), and V is oxidized (its oxidation state goes up from +2 to +3). Appendix D discusses oxidation numbers and how to balance redox equations. You should be able to write a balanced redox reaction as the sum of two half-reactions, one an oxidation and the other a reduction. 

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