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?

Related questions
See all questions in Oxidation and Reduction Reactions
Impact of this question
1635 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License