Redox Reactions Class 11 Chemistry Notes and Questions

Please refer to Redox Reactions Class 11 Chemistry notes and questions with solutions below. These revision notes and important examination questions have been prepared based on the latest Chemistry books for Class 11. You can go through the questions and solutions below which will help you to get better marks in your examinations.

Class 11 Chemistry Redox Reactions Notes and Questions

Oxidation number denotes the oxidation state of an element in a compound ascertained according to a set of rules formulated on the basis that electron in a covalent bond belongs entirely to more electronegative element.

Calculation of oxidation number-
1. O. S. of all the elements in their elemental form (in standard state) is taken as zero O. S. of elements in Cl₂, F₂, O₂, P₄, O₃, Fe(s), H₂, N₂, C(graphite) is zero.
2. Common O. S. of elements of group one (1st) is one. Common O. S. of elements of group two (2nd) is two.
3. For ions composed of only one atom, the oxidation number is equal to the charge on the ion.
4. The oxidation number of oxygen in most compounds is _–2 .While in peroxides (e.g., H₂O₂, Na₂O₂), each oxygen atom is assigned an oxidation number of –1, in super oxides (e.g., KO₂,Rb O₂) each oxygen atom is assigned an oxidation number of – (½).
5. In oxygen difluoride (OF₂) and dioxygen difluoride (O₂F₂), the oxygen is assigned an oxidation number of +2 and +1,respectively.
6. The oxidation number of hydrogen is +1 but in metal hydride its oxidation no. is^–1.
7. In all its compounds, fluorine has an oxidation number of ^–1.
8. The algebraic sum of the oxidation number of all the atoms in a compound must be zero.
9. In polyatomic ion, the algebraic sum of all the oxidation numbers of atoms of the ion must equal the charge on the ion.
Stock notation: the oxidation number is expressed by putting a Roman numeral representing the oxidation number in parenthesis after the symbol of the metal in the molecular formula. Thus aurous chloride and auric chloride are written as Au(I)Cl and Au (III) Cl³. Similarly, stannous chloride and stannic chloride are written as Sn(II)Cl₂andSn(IV)Cl₄.

Oxidation : An increase in the oxidation number
Reduction : A decrease in the oxidation number
Oxidising agent : A reagent which can increase the oxidation number of an element in a given substance. These reagents are called as oxidants also.
Reducing agent : A reagent which lowers the oxidation number of an element in a given substance. These reagents are also called as reductants.
Redox reactions: Reactions which involve change in oxidation number of the interacting species

Balancing of redox reactions:

Oxidation Number Method:
Write the net ionic equation for the reaction of potassium dichromate(VI), K₂Cr₂O₇ with sodium sulphite,Na₂SO₃, in an acid solution to give chromium (III) ion and the sulphate ion.

Step 1: The skeletal ionic equation is:
Cr2O₇^2–(aq) + SO₃^2–(aq) → Cr³⁺(aq)+ SO₄^2–(aq)

Step 2: Assign oxidation numbers forCr and S
+6 –2 +4 –2 +3 +6 –2
Cr₂O₇^2–(aq) + SO₃^2–(aq) → Cr³⁺(aq)+ SO₄^2–(aq)

Step 3: Calculate the increase and decrease of oxidation number, and make them equal:
+6 –2 +4 –2 +3 +6
Cr₂O₇^2–(aq) + 3SO₃^2–(aq) → 2Cr³⁺(aq)+ 3SO₄^2–(aq)

Step 4: Balance the charge by adding H+ as the reaction occurs in the acidic
medium,
Cr₂O₇^2–(aq) + 3SO₃^2–(aq) 8H+→ 2Cr³⁺(aq)+ 3SO₄^2–(aq)

Step 5: Balance the oxygen atom by adding water molecule.
Cr₂O₇^2–(aq) + 3SO₃^2–(aq) 8H+→ 2Cr³⁺(aq)+ 3SO₄^2–(aq)+ 4H₂O (l)

Half Reaction Method
balance the equation showing the oxidation of Fe2+ ions to Fe3+ ions by dichromate ions (Cr₂O₇)^2– in acidic medium, wherein, Cr₂O₇^2– ions are reduced to Cr³⁺ ions.

Step 1 : Produce unbalanced equation for the reaction in ionic form :
Fe²⁺(aq) + Cr₂O₇^2– (aq) → Fe³⁺ (aq) + Cr³⁺(aq)

Step 2 : Separate the equation into half reactions:
+2 +3
Oxidation half : Fe²⁺ (aq) → Fe³⁺(aq)
+6 –2 +3
Reduction half :Cr₂O₇^2–(aq) → Cr³⁺(aq)

Step 3 : Balance the atoms other than O and H in each half reaction individually.
Cr₂O₇^2– (aq) → Cr³⁺(aq)

Step 4 : For reactions occurring in acidic medium, add H₂O to balance O atoms and H+ to balance H atoms.Cr2O₇
^2– (aq) +14 H+→ Cr³⁺(aq) + 7H₂O (l)

Step 5 : Add electrons to one side of the half reaction to balance the charges. If need be ,make the number of electrons equal in the two half reactions by multiplying one or both half reactions by appropriate coefficients.
Fe²⁺ (aq) → Fe³⁺ (aq) + e– Cr₂O₇^2– (aq) + 14H+ (aq) + 6e– → 2Cr³⁺(aq) +7H₂O (l)
6Fe²⁺ (aq) →6 Fe³⁺ (aq) +6 e–

Step 6 : We add the two half reactions to achieve the overall reaction and cancel the electrons on each side. This gives the net ionic equation as :
6Fe²⁺(aq) + Cr₂O₇^2– (aq) + 14H+(aq) → 6 Fe³⁺(aq) + 2Cr³⁺(aq) + 7H₂O (l)

A redox couple is defined as having together the oxidised and reduced forms of a substance taking part in an oxidation or reduction half reaction.
Represented as Zn²⁺/Zn and Cu²⁺/Cu.

✱ Electrochemical cells are the devices which are used to get electric current by using chemical reaction.

The potential associated with each electrode is known as electrode potential. If the concentration of each species taking part in the electrode reaction is unity (if any gas appears in the electrode reaction, it is confined to 1 atmospheric pressure) and further the reaction is carried out at 298K, then the potential of each electrode is said to be the Standard Electrode Potential.

• SHE is used to measure electrode potential and its standard electrode potential is taken as 0.00 V.

Question. Define oxidation and reduction in terms of oxidation number.
Ans. Increase in Oxidation Number is Oxidation and decrease in Oxidation Number is called reduction.

Question. What is meant by disproportionation? Give one example.
Ans. In a disproportionation reaction an element simultaneously oxidized and reduced.
P₄ + 3OH^– +3H₂O → PH₃ +3H₂PO^2-

Question. What is O.N. of sulphur in H₂SO₄?
Ans. +6

Question. Identify the central atom in the following and predict their O.S. HNO₃
Ans. central atom:- N; O.S. +5

Question. Out of Zn and Cu which is more reactive?
Ans. Zn.

Question. What is galvanization?
Ans. Coating of a less reactive metal with a more reactive metal e.g.- coating of iron surface with Zn to prevent rusting of iron.

Question. How is standard cell potential calculated using standard electrode potential?
Ans. E0 cell = E0 cathode – E0 anode

Question. What is O.S. of oxygen in H₂O₂?
Ans. – -1.

Question. The formation of sodium chloride from gaseous sodium and gaseous chloride is a redox process justify.
Ans. Na atom get oxidize and Cl is reduced.

Question. Write the balanced redox reaction .
(I) MnO4 –(aq) + Fe2+(aq) → Mn2+(aq)+ Fe3+(aq) [acidic medium]
(II) Cr2O72– + Fe2+ →Cr3+ + Fe3+ [Acidic medium]

Ans. (i) MnO4–(aq) +5Fe2+(aq) + 8H+(aq) → Mn2+(aq)+ 5Fe3+(aq) + 4H2O(l)
(ii) Cr2O72– +6Fe2+ + 14H+→ 2Cr3+ + 6Fe3+ + 7H2O

Question. Identify the strongest & weakest reducing agent from the following metals: .Zn, Cu, Na, Ag, Sn
Ans. Strongest reducing agent: Na, weakest reducing agent: Ag.

Question. Determine the oxidation no. of all the atoms in the following oxidants:KMnO₄,K₂Cr₂O₇ and KClO₄
Ans. In KMnO₄ K = +1, Mn = +7, O = -2
In K₂Cr₂O₇K = +1, Cr = +6, O = -2
In KClO4K = +1, Cl = =+7, O = -2

Question. Determine the oxidation no. of all the atoms in the following species:Na₂O₂ and OF₂.
Ans. In Na₂O₂Na = +1, O = -1
InOF₂, F = -1, O = +2

Question. Is it possible to store :
(i) H₂SO₄ in Al container?
(ii) CuSO₄ solution in Zn vessel?
Ans. (i) yes. (ii) No.

Question. Calculate the standard e.m.f. of the cell formed by the combination of Zn/Zn²⁺⎤⎤ Cu²⁺/Cu.
Ans. E0
cell = E0 _cathode – E0 _anode
=0.34 – (-0.76) = 1.10V.

Question. Identify the oxidizing and reducing agents in the following equations:
(i) MnO₄^–(aq) +5Fe²⁺(aq) + 8H+(aq) → Mn²⁺(aq)+ 5Fe³⁺(aq) + 4H₂O(l)
(ii) Cr₂O₇^2– +6Fe²⁺ + 14H+→ 2Cr³⁺ + 6Fe³⁺ + 7H₂O
Ans. (i) O.A. = MnO4– ; R.A.= Fe2+
(ii)O.A.=Cr2O72–; R.A.= Fe2+

Question. Predict all the possible oxidation states of Cl in its compounds.
Ans. – 0, -1, +1, +3, +5, +7

Question. Formulate possible compounds of „Cl‟ in its O.S.is: 0, -1, +1, +3, +5, +7
Ans. Cl₂, HCl, HOCl, HOClO, HOClO₂, HOClO₃ respectively.

Question. List three measures used to prevent rusting of iron.
Ans. (i) galvanization(coating iron by a more reactive metal)
(ii) greasing/oiling
(iii) painting.

Question. Write short notes on :
(a) Electrochemical series(b) redox reactions (c) oxidizing agents
Ans. (a) Electrochemical series :- arrangement of metals(non-metals also) in increasing order of their reducing power or vice versa.
(b) Reactions in which both Oxidation and reduction take place simultaneously are REDOX REACTIONS.
(c)oxidizing agents : chemical specie which can oxidize the other one or can reduce itself.

Question. Calculate O. S. of sulphur in the following oxoacids of „S‟ : H₂SO₄ ,H₂SO₃H₂S₂O8and H₂S₂O₇
Ans. +6, +4, + 6 and +6 respectively. (calculate by considering x of ‟S‟ and taking +1 of H, -2 0f “O” and -1 of “O” in peroxide bond.)

Question. Explain role of salt bridge in Daniell cell.
Ans. (a) it completes the electric circuit in the cell.
(b) it maintains the electric neutrality in the cell.

Question. Account for the followings :
(i) sulphur exhibits variable oxidation states.
Ans. Due to the presence of vacant „d‟ orbitals in „S‟

(ii) Fluorine exhibits only -1 O.S.
Ans . It is most electronegative element

(iii) oxygen can’t extend its valency from 2.
Ans. Small size/unavailability of vacant „d‟ orbitals in O

Question. Balance the equation MnO_4– + I^– → Mn²⁺ +I₂ + H₂O by ion electron method in acidic medium.
Ans. Step -I Balancing of reduction half reaction by adding protons and electrons on LHS and more water molecules on RHS: 8H⁺+ MnO₄ ^– +5e-→ Mn²⁺ + 4H₂O
Step – II Balancing of oxidation half reaction by adding electrons on RHS: 2I^–→ I₂ +2e-
Step – III To multiply the OHR by 5; RHR by2 and to add OH & RH reactions to get overall redox reaction(cancellation of electrons of RH & OH reactions):
[8H+(aq)+ MnO₄ –(aq) +5e-→ Mn²⁺(aq) + 4H₂O (l)] x 2 [ 2I-→ I2 +2e-] x 5 MnO₄
– (aq) +5Fe²⁺(aq) + 8H+(aq) → Mn²⁺(aq)+ 5Fe³⁺(aq) + 4H₂O(l)

Question. complete and balance the following equations:
(i) H⁺ + Cr₂O₇
2^–+ Br^–→ 2Cr³⁺ + Br₂+ —–
(ii) H₂O₂ + Cl^–→ OH^– + Cl₂
(iii) Zn + Cu₂⁺ → ?
Ans. (i) 14H⁺ + Cr₂O₇
2^–+6 Br^–→ 2Cr³⁺ + 3Br₂ + 7H₂O
(ii) H2O₂ + 2Cl^–→ 2OH_– + Cl₂
(ii) Zn + Cu²⁺ → Zn²⁺ + Cu

Question. Identify the oxidizing and reducing agents in the following equations:
(i) Fe + H₂SO₄ → FeSO₄ + H₂
(ii)H₂ + Cl₂ →2HCl
(iii) MnO₂ + 4HCl → MnCl₂ + 2H₂O + Cl₂
Ans. (i) O.A. = H₂SO₄ ; R.A.= Fe
(ii) O.A. = Cl₂; R.A.=H₂
(iii) O.A. = MnO₂; R.A. =HCl

question. Arrange the following in increasing order of their reducing power:
Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Fe, Al, Na, Mg, Pt(SHE), Hg, Ca, K
Ans. Au, Hg, Ag, Cu, Pt(SHE), Fe, Zn, Al, Mg, Na, Ca, K

Question. Indicate O.S. of each atom present in given structure of peroxodisulphuric acid

Ans.

Question. What is SHE? What is its use?
Ans. Standard Hydrogen Electrode (SHE) has been selected to have zero standard potential at all temperatures. It consists of a platinum foil coated with platinum black (finely divided platinum) dipping partially into an aqueous solution in which the activity (approximate concentration 1M) of hydrogen ion is unity and hydrogen gas is bubbled through the solution at 1 bar pressure. The potential of the other half cell is measured by constructing a cell in which reference electrode is standard hydrogen electrode. The potential of the other half cell is equal to the potential of the cell.

Question. Is rusting of iron an electrochemical phenomenon? How ?explain.
Ans. Yes. Rusting of iron is an electrochemical phenomenon because this is possible due to formation of a small electrochemical cell over rough surface of iron and the following redox reaction takes place there in that cell-
Oxidation Fe(s) → Fe²⁺(aq) + 2e-
Reduction O₂+ 4H+ 4e^– → 2H₂O
e- + ½ O₂ + 2H₂O +2Fe²⁺→Fe₂O₃ + 4H+

Question. We expand crore of Rupees and even thousands of lives every year due to corrosion. How can be preventing it. Explain.
Ans. (i) By Galvanization: Coating of a less reactive metal with a more reactive metal e.g.- coating of iron surface with Zn to prevent rusting of iron.
(ii) By greasing /oiling (to keep away the object from the contact of air & moisture.)
(iii)By painting (to keep away the object from the contact of air & moisture.)