What are oxidation and reduction reactions? Give an example of each.

1 Answer
anor277
Sep 7, 2016

#"Loss of electrons"# #-=# #"OXIDATION"#

#"Gain of electrons"# #-=# #"REDUCTION"#

Explanation:

And thus redox reactions are largely hypothetical processes; mind you they do allow representation of the stoichiometries of actual chemical reactions:

#Na rarr Na^(+) + e^-# #"Oxidation (i)"#

#1/2O_2 + 2e^(-) rarr O^(2-)# #"Reduction (ii)"#

And #2xx(i)+(ii)# #=#

#2Na +1/2O_2 rarr Na_2O#

Has the metal been reduced or oxidized? Has oxygen been oxidized or reduced? How will you cope?

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