Chemistry 1120 Exam 1 Terms – Complete Study Guide & Key Definitions (2026)
Oxidation - correct answer ✔✔the part of an oxidation-reduction reaction in which there is a
loss of electrons by a species (or an increase in the oxidation number of an atom)
Reduction - correct answer ✔✔the part of an oxidation-reduction reaction in which there is a
gain of electrons by a species (or a decrease of oxidation number of an atom)
Redox Reaction (Oxidation-Reduction Reaction) - correct answer ✔✔a reaction in which
electrons are transferred between species or in which atoms change oxidation number
Oxidation Number - correct answer ✔✔either the actual charge on an atom in a substance, if
the atom exists as a monatomic ion, or a hypothetical charge assigned by simple rules
Half-Reaction - correct answer ✔✔one of two parts of an oxidation-reduction reaction, one part
of which involves a loss of electrons (or increase of oxidation number) and the other a gain of
electrons (or decrease of oxidation number)
Voltaic Cell (Galvanic Cell) - correct answer ✔✔an electrochemical cell in which a spontaneous
reaction generates an electric current
Salt Bridge - correct answer ✔✔a tube of an electrolyte in a gel that is connected to the two
half-cells of a voltaic cell; it allows the flow of ions but prevents the mixing of the different
solutions that would allow direct reaction of the cell reactants
Cathode - correct answer ✔✔the electrode at which reduction occurs
Anode - correct answer ✔✔the electrode at which oxidation occurs
Oxidation - correct answer ✔✔the part of an oxidation-reduction reaction in which there is a
loss of electrons by a species (or an increase in the oxidation number of an atom)
Reduction - correct answer ✔✔the part of an oxidation-reduction reaction in which there is a
gain of electrons by a species (or a decrease of oxidation number of an atom)
Redox Reaction (Oxidation-Reduction Reaction) - correct answer ✔✔a reaction in which
electrons are transferred between species or in which atoms change oxidation number
Oxidation Number - correct answer ✔✔either the actual charge on an atom in a substance, if
the atom exists as a monatomic ion, or a hypothetical charge assigned by simple rules
Half-Reaction - correct answer ✔✔one of two parts of an oxidation-reduction reaction, one part
of which involves a loss of electrons (or increase of oxidation number) and the other a gain of
electrons (or decrease of oxidation number)
Voltaic Cell (Galvanic Cell) - correct answer ✔✔an electrochemical cell in which a spontaneous
reaction generates an electric current
Salt Bridge - correct answer ✔✔a tube of an electrolyte in a gel that is connected to the two
half-cells of a voltaic cell; it allows the flow of ions but prevents the mixing of the different
solutions that would allow direct reaction of the cell reactants
Cathode - correct answer ✔✔the electrode at which reduction occurs
Anode - correct answer ✔✔the electrode at which oxidation occurs
