Reducing power

[Katherine Grillo 1B]

How do you determine reducing and oxidation power?

[Margaret Akey]

reducing power is going to have more negative standard reduction potential

oxidation power is going to have more positive standard reduction potential.

the way i like to think about it is that since reduction power is the ability to give away electrons, the reduction half reaction that would not want electrons is the one that is the most negative in standard reduction potential (since electron repulsion)

for oxidation power--> it is its likelihood of gaining electrons (and while it is reduced itself, it helps oxidize others) so the reduction half reaction which is the most positive is the one that would want electrons the most (since positive attracts electrons)

[Angela Cong 3C]

So in a galvanic cell, whichever one is more positive, that means its more likely to be reduced and thus gains electrons (having e on the reactant side), and the more negative one is likely to be oxidized, and thus lose electrons (having e on the product side)?

[Margaret Akey]

So in a galvanic cell, whichever one is more positive, that means its more likely to be reduced and thus gains electrons (having e on the reactant side), and the more negative one is likely to be oxidized, and thus lose electrons (having e on the product side)?

Yes, just make sure when you are looking at "which one is more negative" that you are looking at the standard REDUCTION potentials for both

[Erin Kim 2G]

The more positive standard reduction potential is the stronger oxidizing agent- so is more likely to be reduced or gain electrons.
The more negative standard reduction potential is the stronger reducing agent- so it is more likely to be oxidized or lose electrons.