Question

Can someone explain to me oxidation and reduction and the half-cells diagram? This is from IB chemistry.

Answer 1

Oxidation is the loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state by a molecule, atom, or ion.

Reduction is the gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation state by a molecule, atom, or ion.

Examples:
forming hydrogen fluoride
\[H _{2} + F _{2} \rightarrow 2 HF\]
You can split this reaction into two parts
Oxidation
\[H _{2} \rightarrow 2 H ^{+} + 2 e ^{-}\]
Reduction
\[F _{2} + 2 e ^{-} \rightarrow 2 F ^{-}\]
And both together form the reaction.

Answer 2

@Kathi26 is right i think this is a simplified expo that explains it .