Electrochemistry

Electrochemistry is the branch of chemistry that studies the relationship between electrical energy and chemical change, focusing on the redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions where electrons are transferred between chemical species. This field encompasses two main types of processes: the generation of an electric current from a spontaneous chemical reaction, which is the principle behind batteries and fuel cells, and the use of an applied electric current to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction, a process known as electrolysis, which is fundamental to applications like electroplating and industrial metal refining.

1. Fundamentals of Redox Reactions
   1. Nature of Redox Reactions
      1. Definition of Redox Reactions
      2. Electron Transfer Processes
      3. Importance in Chemical Systems
      4. Importance in Biological Systems
      5. Historical Development of Redox Theory
   2. Oxidation and Reduction
      1. Defining Oxidation
         1. Loss of Electrons
         2. Increase in Oxidation State
         3. Classical Definition (Addition of Oxygen)
      2. Defining Reduction
         1. Gain of Electrons
         2. Decrease in Oxidation State
         3. Classical Definition (Removal of Oxygen)
      3. Identifying Oxidizing and Reducing Agents
         1. Role of Oxidizing Agents
         2. Role of Reducing Agents
         3. Identifying Agents in Reactions
         4. Common Oxidizing Agents
         5. Common Reducing Agents
   3. Oxidation States
      1. Concept of Oxidation State
      2. Rules for Assigning Oxidation States
         1. Elemental State Rule
         2. Group 1 Metals Rule
         3. Group 2 Metals Rule
         4. Oxygen Rule
         5. Hydrogen Rule
         6. Halogen Rules
         7. Transition Metal Considerations
         8. Exceptions to Standard Rules
      3. Calculating Oxidation States in Compounds and Ions
         1. Simple Binary Compounds
         2. Polyatomic Ions
         3. Complex Molecules
         4. Organic Compounds
      4. Using Oxidation States to Identify Redox Reactions
         1. Recognizing Changes in Oxidation State
         2. Determining Electron Transfer
         3. Distinguishing Redox from Non-Redox Reactions
   4. Balancing Redox Equations
      1. Importance of Balancing Redox Reactions
      2. The Half-Reaction Method
         1. Writing Oxidation Half-Reactions
         2. Writing Reduction Half-Reactions
         3. Balancing Atoms Other Than Oxygen and Hydrogen
         4. Balancing Oxygen Atoms Using Water
         5. Balancing Hydrogen Atoms Using Protons
         6. Balancing Charge Using Electrons
         7. Balancing in Acidic Solution
            1. Complete Step-by-Step Process
            2. Common Acidic Media Examples
         8. Balancing in Basic Solution
            1. Converting from Acidic to Basic Conditions
            2. Adding Hydroxide Ions
            3. Simplifying Final Equations
      3. The Oxidation Number Change Method
         1. Identifying Atoms with Changing Oxidation States
         2. Calculating Total Electron Transfer
         3. Balancing Electron Loss and Gain
         4. Completing Mass Balance
         5. Completing Charge Balance
   5. Types of Redox Reactions
      1. Combination Reactions
      2. Decomposition Reactions
      3. Single Displacement Reactions
      4. Disproportionation Reactions
      5. Comproportionation Reactions