Chemical ChangesDiagram

OIL RIG — The Golden Rule

Part of Oxidation & Reduction — GCSE Chemistry

This diagram covers OIL RIG — The Golden Rule within Oxidation & Reduction for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Oxidation & Reduction in Chemical Changes for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 20 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 2 of 13 in this topic. Focus on the labels, the relationships between parts, and the explanation that turns the diagram into an exam-ready answer.

Topic position

Section 2 of 13

Practice

20 questions

Recall

20 flashcards

🧭 OIL RIG — The Golden Rule

OIL RIG mnemonic for oxidation is loss and reduction is gain of electrons

Figure 1: OIL RIG — the key mnemonic for redox reactions

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Oxidation & Reduction. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

The Electron Trade Deep Dive: Understanding Redox How It Works: Electron Transfer in Redox Higher Tier: Half Equations

Practice Questions for Oxidation & Reduction

What does OIL stand for in the mnemonic OIL RIG?

A. Oxygen Is Lost
B. Oxidation Is Loss (of electrons)
C. Oxidation Involves Lithium
D. Oxygen Increases Level

1 markfoundation

In the reaction Mg + CuSO₄ → MgSO₄ + Cu, identify which species is oxidised and which is reduced. (2 marks)

2 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What is a redox reaction?

A reaction where oxidation and reduction happen simultaneously

What is OARC?

Oxidation at Anode, Reduction at Cathode — memory aid for electrolysis

Want to test your knowledge?

PrepWise has 20 exam-style questions and 20 flashcards for Oxidation & Reduction — with adaptive difficulty and instant feedback.

Join Alpha

The Electron Trade

Deep Dive: Understanding Redox