Chapter 12

Redox and Electrochemistry

When dealing with molecules, we use oxidation numbers to indicate how many
electrons an atom in a molecule tends to gain or lose. Any change in the
oxidation numbers from one side of a reaction to the other is oxidation-
reduction, or “redox” reaction. Such movement involves a change in energy of
the electrons. Dealing with this change quantitatively is known as
electrochemistry. In this chapter we will focus on oxidation states, oxidation-
reduction reactions, galvanic/voltaic cells, as well as electrolysis and
electroplating.