Unit Overview

The study of oxidation and reduction can be treated as an illustration of equilibrium. Students should be able to define oxidation and reduction in terms of electron transfer, and express oxidation-reduction processes in terms of half reactions. Tables of standard reduction (or oxidation) potentials should be used to determine the Eo values. Students should also use tables and experimental results to assess the spontaneity of reactions.

The corrosion of metals and metallic deposition are applications which should be given consideration in this unit. Other practical applications of electrochemistry should be explored. These topics would be ideal for case studies, independent research activities, or laboratory investigations.

Connections between this and the Acid-Base unit can be made by considering the corrosive effects of acids. Qualitatively, students could investigate the effect of pH on the corrosion of metals. An interesting laboratory research investigation would be to assess the corrosive damage to metals due to acid precipitation.