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Question

Please explain clearly,
what is redox reaction?

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Solution

In redox reactions, electrons are transferred from one reactant to another. So, simply put, electrons are lost from one substance and gained by another.

Oxidation refers to the loss of electrons from a substance, while reduction refers to the gain of electrons by a substance. These two processes cannot occur without the other. That being said, if there's a reduction reaction, there must be an oxidation reaction. Or, if there's an oxidation reaction, there must be a reduction reaction. Don't be confused by reduction being a gain, though. Adding electrons is called reduction because the overall charge is reduced - more electrons means the substance becomes more negative.

For example, carbon typically has six protons, six neutrons and six electrons. If we reduce carbon, it gains an electron. If you remember, electrons are negative, so adding another electron would make seven, and the carbon atom would become more negative. We would say that the carbon's overall charge has decreased, or it has been reduced.

An easy way to keep it straight is by using the mnemonic device 'LEO the lion says GER.' LEO stands for 'lose electrons oxidation.' GER stands for 'gain electrons reduction.' So, oxidation is when an atom loses electrons, while reduction is when an atom gains electrons.

Redox Reaction Examples

The easiest way to fully understand redox reactions is to look at some examples. So let's start by looking at the reaction that forms table salt. Sodium is oxidized and loses an electron to have a +1 charge; meanwhile chlorine is reduced because it gains the electron to have a -1 charge. The redox reaction creates two ions with opposite charges that are attracted to one another and create sodium chloride, or table salt.

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