What is redox reaction? Give one example.
A chemical reaction in which the oxidation number of a participating chemical species varies is called a redox reaction. In this type of chemical reaction oxidation and reduction takes place simultaneously. Oxidation is the loss of electrons and reduction is the gain of electrons.
Example:
The reaction between Zinc and Copper. This is a type of redox reaction in which Copper metal is obtained when Zinc reduces the Cu2+ ion in the Copper sulfate solution.
Zn (s) + CuSO4 (aq) → ZnSO4 (aq) + Cu (s)
Zinc Copper sulphate Zinc sulphate Copper
Here Zn gets oxidised and acts as a reducing agent and CuSO4 gets reduced and acts as an oxidizing agent.