Mammoth Memory

Oxidation and reduction

Because we now know that:

  • Cathodes give out electrons and gives an electron to a nearby element. That element gains an electron.
  • Anodes take electrons from a nearby element. That element loses an electron.

 

And because:

  • An element that has a loss of an electron is oxidation 
  • An element that has a gain of an electron is reduction

 

(Remember OIL RIG – Oxidation is loss, reduction is gain) 

 

Reduction  takes place at the cathode

OIL RIG is an acronym to remember Oxidation is Loss and Reduction is Gained Reduction takes place at the cathode oxidation takes place at the anode
Imagine that a red duck shone (reduction) a light on the cathedral (cathode).

 

Therefore oxidation takes place at the anode.

Another great mnemonic to remember that reduction takes place at the cathode and oxidation takes place at the anode is:

Reduction, Cathode = RED CAT Anode, Oxidation = AN OX

And a picture mnemonic of this would be:

and a picture mnemonic of this would be:

Reduction is cathode is RED CAT.

Anode is oxidation is AN OX.

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