OXIDATION REDUCTION Meaning and
Definition
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Oxidation reduction, also known as redox reaction, refers to a chemical reaction in which there is a transfer of electrons between two species. It involves the oxidation of one species and the reduction of another. Oxidation is the process in which a substance loses electrons, resulting in an increase in its oxidation number, while reduction is the process in which a substance gains electrons, resulting in a decrease in its oxidation number.
In a redox reaction, the substance that loses electrons is called the reducing agent or reductant since it facilitates or causes the reduction of another species. Conversely, the substance that gains electrons is known as the oxidizing agent or oxidant since it causes the oxidation of another species. The reducing agent gets oxidized during the reaction, and the oxidizing agent gets reduced.
An important characteristic of oxidation reduction reactions is the conservation of charge. This means that the total number of electrons lost in oxidation must be equal to the total number of electrons gained in reduction. This principle is commonly expressed using a half-reaction notation, where the oxidation and reduction half-reactions are written separately to represent the electron transfer.
Oxidation reduction reactions are fundamental in various biological and chemical processes, including energy production, respiration, photosynthesis, corrosion, and many others. They can be observed in everyday life, such as the rusting of iron, combustion of fuel, or in the functioning of batteries. Understanding and predicting the outcome of redox reactions is crucial in various scientific and technological fields.
Common Misspellings for OXIDATION REDUCTION
- ixidation reduction
- kxidation reduction
- lxidation reduction
- pxidation reduction
- 0xidation reduction
- 9xidation reduction
- ozidation reduction
- ocidation reduction
- odidation reduction
- osidation reduction
- oxudation reduction
- oxjdation reduction
- oxkdation reduction
- oxodation reduction
- ox9dation reduction
- ox8dation reduction
- oxisation reduction
- oxixation reduction
- oxication reduction
- oxifation reduction
Etymology of OXIDATION REDUCTION
The term "oxidation reduction" is derived from the separate processes of oxidation and reduction.
The word "oxidation" originates from the Greek word "oxys", meaning "acid", and "genos", meaning "origin". It was first used in the 18th century to describe the combination of a substance with oxygen or another electronegative element, resulting in the loss of electrons or an increase in its oxidation state.
The word "reduction" comes from the Latin word "reducere", which means "to bring back". It was first used in the 17th century to describe the process of reducing a substance by adding electrons or decreasing its oxidation state.
In the field of chemistry, oxidation and reduction are complementary processes that often occur together. Oxidation involves the loss of electrons, while reduction involves the gain of electrons.
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