Redox Tracker (Oxidation Numbers)
Follow electrons in a redox reaction and see which species is oxidised and reduced.
| Species | Oxidation number | Change | What happened |
|---|
Electrons transferred0
Oxidising agent–
Reducing agent–
What you can learn
- Oxidation is loss of electrons and reduction is gain of electrons (OIL RIG).
- The species that is oxidised is the reducing agent.
- The species that is reduced is the oxidising agent.
Frequently asked questions
What does OIL RIG mean?
Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain, of electrons.
Can oxidation happen without reduction?
No. Electrons lost by one species must be gained by another, so the two always happen together.