Lesson 9: Electrochemical Reactions

In this lesson we will deal with electrochemical reactions. These are reactions which involve the transfer of electrons between chemical species. They are often called oxidation-reduction reactions, or redox for short.

We will start by developing a notational basis and language for describing electron transfer: the method of assigning oxidation states and the definitions of oxidation and reduction, which are coupled but separate processes.

With this foundation, we will explore:

• the nature of electric current and how it can cause some chemical reactions

• spontaneous reactions involving the transfer of electrons

• how some chemical reactions can be used to product electric current.