Stoichiometry II: Chemical Equations and Redox Reactions - Chemistry (Undergraduate Foundation)

This course focuses on the language of chemical transformations: the chemical equation. It covers the methods for writing and balancing a wide range of chemical equations, including simple, ionic, and complex oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions. The material provides a systematic guide to the rules of electron transfer and oxidation numbers. Correctly balanced chemical equations are the bedrock of all quantitative chemistry. They are essential for predicting reaction outcomes in industrial manufacturing, ensuring safety in laboratory procedures, and for all forms of chemical analysis. A command of redox reactions is specifically required for understanding electrochemistry, corrosion, and biological energy processes. By the end of this course, you will be able to write and balance any standard chemical equation. You will also be able to determine oxidation numbers, identify oxidizing and reducing agents, and use the electron transfer method to balance complex redox reactions. This course is for students who have mastered the mole concept and chemical formulae. It is a mandatory course for all students of chemistry, chemical engineering, and biochemistry, providing the essential procedural skills needed for both theoretical and practical work.

Payment required for enrolment
Enrolment valid for 12 months
This course is also part of the following learning track. You may join the track to gain comprehensive knowledge across related courses.
[NUC Core] CHM 101: General Chemistry I
[NUC Core] CHM 101: General Chemistry I
This learning track delivers the complete NUC CCMAS curriculum for General Chemistry I. It is a comprehensive programme designed to build a robust, university-level foundation in modern chemistry. The track systematically covers all essential topics, from atomic theory, chemical bonding, and the states of matter, to the quantitative principles of stoichiometry, equilibrium, thermodynamics, and kinetics. This programme is for first-year undergraduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculties who are required to take CHM 101. It is also essential for any student or professional globally who needs a rigorous and complete foundation in first-year university chemistry for further study or career development. This track delivers a full skill set in chemical theory and quantitative problem-solving. Graduates will be able to determine molecular structures, calculate reaction quantities, analyse the energetics and rates of reactions, and solve complex equilibrium problems. This programme provides the non-negotiable prerequisite knowledge for all subsequent chemistry courses and for any degree in the physical sciences, engineering, or medicine.

This learning track delivers the complete NUC CCMAS curriculum for General Chemistry I. It is a comprehensive programme designed to build a robust, university-level foundation in modern chemistry. The track systematically covers all essential topics, from atomic theory, chemical bonding, and the states of matter, to the quantitative principles of stoichiometry, equilibrium, thermodynamics, and kinetics. This programme is for first-year undergraduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculties who are required to take CHM 101. It is also essential for any student or professional globally who needs a rigorous and complete foundation in first-year university chemistry for further study or career development. This track delivers a full skill set in chemical theory and quantitative problem-solving. Graduates will be able to determine molecular structures, calculate reaction quantities, analyse the energetics and rates of reactions, and solve complex equilibrium problems. This programme provides the non-negotiable prerequisite knowledge for all subsequent chemistry courses and for any degree in the physical sciences, engineering, or medicine.

Course Chapters

1. Introduction
1

This chapter provides the roadmap for the course. It introduces the chemical equation as the language of chemical reactions and outlines the progression from balancing simple equations to mastering complex redox reactions. Key learning objectives include: understanding the overall course structure and appreciating the importance of correctly balanced equations in all quantitative chemistry.

Chapter lessons

1-1. Welcome

This lesson provides a brief overview of the course, outlining the key topics of balancing equations, ionic equations, and redox reactions.

2. Balancing Equations
2
4

This chapter covers the fundamental skill of balancing standard chemical equations to satisfy the law of conservation of mass. It focuses on the inspection method for simple reaction types. Key learning objectives include: understanding the meaning of coefficients in a chemical equation; and applying the inspection method to balance synthesis, decomposition, and displacement reactions.

Chapter lessons

2-1. Conservation of mass

This lesson explains the law of conservation of mass and why it requires that chemical equations must be balanced.

2-2. Balancing by inspection

This lesson details the systematic, trial-and-error method of balancing simple chemical equations by adjusting stoichiometric coefficients.

3. Ionic Equations
1
2

This chapter focuses on representing reactions that occur in aqueous solution. It covers the conventions for writing total and net ionic equations for neutralisation and precipitation reactions. Key learning objectives include: writing balanced molecular, total ionic, and net ionic equations; and identifying spectator ions in a reaction.

Chapter lessons

3-1. Total and net ionic

This lesson explains the process of writing a net ionic equation by removing the spectator ions from a total ionic equation.

4. Redox Reactions
3
4

This chapter provides a full treatment of oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions. It covers the concepts of oxidation numbers and the electron transfer method for balancing complex redox equations. Key learning objectives include: assigning oxidation numbers to atoms in any compound or ion; identifying the species being oxidised and reduced; and balancing complex redox reactions in acidic or basic solution.

Chapter lessons

4-1. Defining redox

This lesson defines oxidation and reduction in terms of electron transfer and introduces the concepts of oxidizing and reducing agents.

4-2. Assigning oxidation numbers

This lesson details the set of hierarchical rules for assigning an oxidation number to any atom in a molecule or ion.

4-3. Balancing by electron transfer

This lesson introduces the electron transfer (or half-reaction) method, a systematic process for balancing complex redox reactions.

5. Conclusion
2

This concluding chapter summarises the key skills for representing chemical reactions. It reinforces the importance of balancing both simple and complex redox equations. This summary prepares the student for the next course, 'Stoichiometry III', where these balanced equations will be used for volumetric analysis.

Chapter lessons

5-1. Course summary

This lesson consolidates knowledge by reviewing the methods for balancing simple, ionic, and complex redox chemical equations.

5-2. Next steps

This final lesson looks ahead, explaining how correctly balanced equations are the non-negotiable prerequisite for all the quantitative calculations in volumetric analysis.