Is there a good way to intuitively keep track of oxidation, reduction, oxidants and reductants? Is this something that comes with experience? I know what all of the terms mean if I think about them, but they are not intuitive to me.
Oxidation = increase in oxidation number.
Reduction = reduction in oxidation number.
Oxidant = oxidizes another atom and is reduced in the process.
Reductant = reduces another atom and is oxidized in the process.

Question

Is there a good way to intuitively keep track of oxidation, reduction, oxidants and reductants?  Is this something that comes with experience?  I know what all of the terms mean if I think about them, but they are not intuitive to me.
Oxidation = increase in oxidation number.
Reduction = reduction in oxidation number.
Oxidant = oxidizes another atom and is reduced in the process.
Reductant = reduces another atom and is oxidized in the process.

anonymous · Answer

"LEO (the Lion goes) GER (grrr)" in which LEO is short for "Loss of Electrons - Oxidation" and GER is short for "Gain of Electrons - Reduction". Another way is to remember the difference between oxidation and reduction reactions, (which is not quite is the spirit of renewable energy), is "OIL RIG": Oxidation Involves Loss of electrons, Reduction Involves Gain of electrons."

anonymous · Answer

OILRIG-Oxidation Is Loss Reduction Is Gain

anonymous · Answer

Thank you much.  I'll try to remember these.