CHEM 120 INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL
ORGANIC AND BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
EXAM 3 FINAL STUDY GUIDE 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
⫸ Reduction Answer: Gaining of Electrons is Reduction (GER)
⫸ Fe2+ → Fe0 Answer: Fe is reduced as the charge is becoming more
negative (meaning that the Fe gained e-)
⫸ O2- → O0 Answer: O is being oxidized as the charge is becoming
more positive (loosing e-)
⫸ Cu+1 → Cu2+ Answer: Cu is being oxidized as the charge is
becoming more positive (loosing e-)
⫸ Oxidizing agent Answer: Contains the species being reduced.
Oxidizes another species in the reaction by accepting electrons
(becoming reduced in the process).
⫸ Reducing agent Answer: Contains the species being oxidized.
Reduces another species in the reaction by donating electrons (becoming
oxidized in the process).
, ⫸ Cu2+ in Cu2+ + Zn0 → Cu0 + Zn2+ Answer: Cu2+ is the oxidizing
agent as this species accepted electrons from the Zn0, and in the process,
became reduced.
⫸ Cu+ in V4+ + Cu+ → Cu+5 + V0 Answer: Cu+ is the reducing
agent, as this species donated electrons to the V4+, and in the process,
became oxidized.
⫸ Oxidation numbers in 2 H2 + O2 → 2 H2O Answer: 2 H20 + O20 →
2 H+12O2-
⫸ H2 in 2 H2 + O2 → 2 H2O Answer: H2 is the reducing agent as this
species reduced the O from 0 to -2.
⫸ O2 in V + O2 → VO2 Answer: O2 is the oxidizing agent because the
O2 accepted electrons from the V, causing the V to become oxidized.
⫸ Organic compound Answer: Based on and containing Carbon atoms.
⫸ GOLDEN RULE OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY Answer: CARBON
MAKES 4 BONDS
⫸ Hydrocarbon Answer: Contains ONLY H and C atoms.
⫸ Alkanes Answer: Contain only single C-C bonds.
ORGANIC AND BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
EXAM 3 FINAL STUDY GUIDE 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
⫸ Reduction Answer: Gaining of Electrons is Reduction (GER)
⫸ Fe2+ → Fe0 Answer: Fe is reduced as the charge is becoming more
negative (meaning that the Fe gained e-)
⫸ O2- → O0 Answer: O is being oxidized as the charge is becoming
more positive (loosing e-)
⫸ Cu+1 → Cu2+ Answer: Cu is being oxidized as the charge is
becoming more positive (loosing e-)
⫸ Oxidizing agent Answer: Contains the species being reduced.
Oxidizes another species in the reaction by accepting electrons
(becoming reduced in the process).
⫸ Reducing agent Answer: Contains the species being oxidized.
Reduces another species in the reaction by donating electrons (becoming
oxidized in the process).
, ⫸ Cu2+ in Cu2+ + Zn0 → Cu0 + Zn2+ Answer: Cu2+ is the oxidizing
agent as this species accepted electrons from the Zn0, and in the process,
became reduced.
⫸ Cu+ in V4+ + Cu+ → Cu+5 + V0 Answer: Cu+ is the reducing
agent, as this species donated electrons to the V4+, and in the process,
became oxidized.
⫸ Oxidation numbers in 2 H2 + O2 → 2 H2O Answer: 2 H20 + O20 →
2 H+12O2-
⫸ H2 in 2 H2 + O2 → 2 H2O Answer: H2 is the reducing agent as this
species reduced the O from 0 to -2.
⫸ O2 in V + O2 → VO2 Answer: O2 is the oxidizing agent because the
O2 accepted electrons from the V, causing the V to become oxidized.
⫸ Organic compound Answer: Based on and containing Carbon atoms.
⫸ GOLDEN RULE OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY Answer: CARBON
MAKES 4 BONDS
⫸ Hydrocarbon Answer: Contains ONLY H and C atoms.
⫸ Alkanes Answer: Contain only single C-C bonds.
