Question

Explain how a redox reaction involves electrons in the same way that an acid- base reaction involves protons. [Sections $4.3$ and $4.4]$

Short answer

In both acid-base and redox reactions, the transfer of charged particles occurs between chemical species. Acid-base reactions involve the transfer of protons (H^+ ions) between acids and bases, resulting in the formation of conjugate acid and conjugate base pairs. In contrast, redox reactions focus on the transfer of electrons, causing changes in the oxidation states of atoms. One species is reduced (gains electrons) while the other is oxidized (loses electrons).

Step-by-step solution

Understand Acid-Base Reaction and Protons Involvement

An acid-base reaction is a chemical process in which an acid donates a hydrogen ion (proton) to a base, resulting in the formation of a conjugate acid and a conjugate base. This can be represented as follows: $$HA(acid)+B(base)\to A^{-}(conjugatebase)+H{B}^{+}(conjugateacid)$$ In an acid-base reaction, the transfer of protons takes place - the acid donates a proton and the base accepts it, resulting in the formation of a conjugate acid and base pair.

Understand a Redox Reaction and Electrons Involvement

A redox (reduction-oxidation) reaction is a chemical reaction in which the oxidation states of atoms are changed, due to the transfer of electrons between chemical species. In redox reactions, one species gets reduced (gains electrons) while the other species is oxidized (loses electrons). These two half-reactions (reduction and oxidation) occur simultaneously during a redox reaction. An example of a redox reaction is: $$2Al(s)+3C{u}^{2+}(aq)\to 2A{l}^{3+}(aq)+3Cu(s)$$ In this redox reaction, aluminum (Al) loses 3 electrons to become Al^3+ and is oxidized, while copper ions Cu^2+ gain 2 electrons to become Cu(s) and are reduced.

Draw Similarities Between Acid-Base and Redox Reactions

Both acid-base and redox reactions involve the transfer of charged particles between chemical species, but they involve different types of charged particles. In an acid-base reaction, the primary focus is on the transfer of protons (H^+ ions) between acids and bases, forming conjugate acid and conjugate base pairs. On the other hand, redox reactions are focused on the transfer of electrons between chemical species, causing changes in the oxidation states of atoms, with one species acting as a reducing agent (gains electrons) and the other as an oxidizing agent (loses electrons). In summary, both acid-base and redox reactions involve the transfer of charged particles, but an acid-base reaction involves the transfer of protons and redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons. Both types of reactions are fundamental in understanding the chemical processes that occur in nature, as well as in various applications in chemistry and related fields.