2H2O + 4e- + O2 ---> 4OH-xiao1985 said:2H2O + 4 e- + O2 ---> 4OH-
^ reduction of water.
Umm, Oxidation is loss? 0_0YannY said:Haha you know what? you guys did a oxidation of water.
2 H2O + H2 -> 2 H3O+
That is the reduction of water.
2H<SUB>2</SUB>O + 4e<SUP>-</SUP> + O<SUB>2</SUB> ---> 4OH<SUP>- </SUP>
is oxidation of water as indicated by the - which shows a gain of electron.
I thought so.independantz said:Umm, Oxidation is loss? 0_0
bah, pickyForbidden. said:2H2O + 4e- + O2 ---> 4OH-
Fixed.
oops my bad...cameron0110 said:The reduction of water is actually 2H2O +2e- => H2 + 2OH- because one hydrogen in each water goes from oxidation state 1+ to 0. In the other equations that have been written, its actually the oxygen that is being reduced.
The first equation (H2O => H+ + OH-) isn't actually a redox equation at all if you check the charge balance, its the self-ionisation of water.
The best way to think about oxidation/reduction is using the oxidation state because if something is oxidised the oxidation state increases and if its reduced the oxidation state is reduced.