Chemistry

LEO says GER

Lose Electrons Oxidation Gain Electrons Reduction

Helps you remember electron transfer in redox reactions.

✨ Tap to flipLose Electrons Oxidation Gain Electrons Reduction

Quick self-quiz

Reveal allReset

Tap each word to check what it stands for.

• L?
• E?
• O?
• G?
• E?
• R?

When to use it

Use it as an alternative to OIL RIG when writing half-reactions, to pair the electron direction with the correct process name.

Example

Writing the half-reaction for iron rusting, Fe loses electrons (LEO, oxidation): $\text{Fe} \to \text{Fe}^{2+} + 2e^-$.

Common mistake

Mixing up LEO and GER by reversing the order. LEO comes first because oxidation is written first in most standard half-reaction notation.