Is Ox or Redox more common in nature?

[Rockstar2]

Seems like a strange question, but it just appeared on one of my tests. My guess would be redox, but what is the logic behind the answer?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Borek]

I am not sure I understand what this question asks about. Oxes are relatively rare these days, as most young bulls end as a beef Then, oxes were never quite natural. Not to mention the fact I have no idea what ox can be further reduced to.

 

[Gokul43201]

Seems like a strange question, but it just appeared on one of my tests. My guess would be redox, but what is the logic behind the answer?

What was the thought process behind your guess?

 

[Rockstar2]

Lol, no, I was talking about oxidation and reduction reactions, especially those relating to electrochemistry.

I guessed redox because an element gains an electron, thus the electron loses energy. Oxidation on the other hand would require an input of energy to remove an electron. So I guessed that the one that didn't require an outside input of energy. Honestly though, It was a shot in the dark. We get a lot of these on our tests, really just guessing using what you learned doing other things.

 

[Borek]

Redox is not an opposition to oxidation, redox is a collective word for both reduction and oxidation processes.

Give an example of oxidation.

 

[Rockstar2]

Red-Half - Ag+(aq) + 1e --> Ag(s)
Ox-Half - Cu(s) --> Cu+2(aq) + 2e

Overall Rxn: 2Ag+(aq) + Cu(s) --> 2Ag(s) + Cu2+(aq)

This is in relation to voltaic cells though. Ag being the cathode, and Cu being the anode.

 

[Borek]

Very good.

But you have shown two processes - red and ox. Is it possible for only one to occur?

 

[Rockstar2]

Haha, your too good at this. They occur in equal measure, because for one to take place your must have the other.

 

[Borek]

Bingo.