<p>What is oxidation? I tried looking it up, but I couldn't understand it. Especially, I can't understand how aldehyde: R-CHO is derived from the oxidation of a primary alcohol. In that context, what does oxidation mean? Thank.</p>
<p>Oxidation is the loss of electrons from the atoms of a substance. That's what I got out of my textbook. We don't cover oxidation/reduction till the end of the 2nd semester, so I can't really help, sorry.</p>
<p>Jman pretty much hit it. Reduction is the opposite, gain of electrons...I remember it like OIL RIG [oxidation is loss, reduction is gain (of electrons)]. Any reaction where electrons are transferred between atoms is called a redox reaction...redox like reduction-oxidation. I hope that helps...if it doesn't, just ask.</p>
<p>L[oss] E[lectrons] O[xidation] the lion says, G[ain] E[lectrons] R[eduction]</p>
<p>I always remember it with teh LEO GER thing. Think about it as oxygen being the oxidizing agent (and thus getting reduced). Oxygen always takes a -2 charge (except in hydrogen peroxide, then it's only -1), which means it's gaining electrons in redox reactions. Just make sure that you remmeber oxygen as an agent, not as being oxidized (the thing that has oxygen added to it is oxidized, whic makes sense to me...but then, chemistry makes sense to me)</p>
<p>Thanks a lot, guys! Buen trabajo! That helped a lot.</p>
<p>Ooh, that's a new one for me..
I've always went with OIL RIG, too.</p>
<p>Oxidation
Is
Loss</p>
<p>Reduction
Is
Gain</p>
<p>(Of electrons, that is.)</p>
<p>We just did this! We learned OIL RIG too, but it was easy for me to remember because reduction is the opposite of what you normally think it is, and oxidation is the opposite of that! (well, it makes sense in my head...)</p>
<p>If you get further into chemistry in college, "oxidation is loss of electrons" is not necessarily true. For purposes of AP Chemistry and the like, that definition suffices. A lot of my chemistry professors prefer the (very general) definition that it is the increase in oxidation number.</p>
<p>It sure is a pain to memorize all the reducing agents and oxidation agents!</p>
<p>it is?</p>
<p>I never did much memorization, all you hafta do is look at your reaction and balance the charges, to figure out which is which.</p>
<p>Hah, I think it's easy too, but I pulled off a 99 in AP chem and heck yes that's bragging...seriously, though, once you do several of them the patterns just sort of become imprinted into your brain. If you're having trouble just do it over...and over...and over...etc.</p>
<p>Grapeful, that sounds cool...any examples? Just because I want to know...</p>
<p>I got a 61% this semester for Chem Honors (don't worry, I'll get to retake it for an A). The funny thing is, I got an 82% on the final. </p>
<p>We're learning stoichiometry in a couple of days, and she said it is the hardest concept in 1st year chemistry. And then she tells us it's easy if we do it her way.</p>