Back
to top
GCSE Redox Reaction (involving rusting of iron)
Watch this threadPage 1 of 1
Go to first unread
Skip to page:
blobbybill
Badges:
11
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#1
SO I am using the CGP OCR Gcse Chemistry revision guide and is says:
That the rusting of iron is a redox reaction: iron+oxygen+water > hydrated iron(iii) oxide
The explanation in the book is:
1) Iron loses electrons when it reacts with oxygen. Each Fe atom loses three electrons to become Fe3+
2) Oxygen gains electrons when it reacts with iron. Each O atom gains two electrons to become O2-
So, could you please explain the following to me:
1) Why each Iron Fe atom lose three electrons when it reacts with oxygen?
2) If three electrons are lost from the Iron to become Fe3+, why does each Oxygen O atom only gain two electrons to become O2-? Surely it should gain 3 electrons since 3 are lost from the iron?
Thank you so much
That the rusting of iron is a redox reaction: iron+oxygen+water > hydrated iron(iii) oxide
The explanation in the book is:
1) Iron loses electrons when it reacts with oxygen. Each Fe atom loses three electrons to become Fe3+
2) Oxygen gains electrons when it reacts with iron. Each O atom gains two electrons to become O2-
So, could you please explain the following to me:
1) Why each Iron Fe atom lose three electrons when it reacts with oxygen?
2) If three electrons are lost from the Iron to become Fe3+, why does each Oxygen O atom only gain two electrons to become O2-? Surely it should gain 3 electrons since 3 are lost from the iron?
Thank you so much
0
reply
Wolfram Alpha
Badges:
20
Rep:
?
You'll earn badges for being active around the site. Rep gems come when your posts are rated by other community members.
#2
Report
#2
It's because oxygen has 6 electrons in its outer shell so it needs to gain electrons which it takes from the Iron...I'm not too sure about the second part.
0
reply
X
Page 1 of 1
Go to first unread
Skip to page:
Quick Reply
