Oxidation Numbers

This lesson goes over how to assign oxidation numbers (oxidation states) to elements.

What are Reduction and Oxidation?

Oxidation occurs when an atom LOSES electrons. Reduction occurs when an atom GAINS electrons. You can figure out which atoms have gained/lost electrons by looking at “oxidation numbers,” which are kind of like charges.

Redox Reactions: Crash Course Chemistry #10

All the magic that we know is in the transfer of electrons. Reduction (gaining electrons) and oxidation (the loss of electrons) combine to form Redox chemistry, which contains the majority of chemical reactions. As electrons jump from atom to atom, they carry energy with them, and that transfer of energy is what makes all life on earth possible.