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Redox Reactions
A redox reaction is a chemical reaction
whereby both reduction and oxidation occur simultaneously.
Reduction and oxidation always occur together.
Reduction and oxidation reaction
can be defined as follows:
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Definition in terms of
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Oxidation Reaction
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Reduction Reaction
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| Oxygen gain or loss |
1. Substance gains oxygen |
1. Substance loses oxygen |
| Hydrogen gain or loss |
2. Substance loses hydrogen |
2. Substance gains hydrogen |
| Electron transfer |
3. Substance loses electrons
to another reactant |
3. Substance gains electrons
from another reactant |
| Oxidation number |
4. Increase in oxidation number |
4. Decrease in oxidation number |
In qualitative analysis, the concept
of reduction and oxidation based on the idea of electron
transfer between atoms and ions is often used when considering
redox reactions in aqueous solutions. The transfer of
electrons results in a change in the oxidation numbers
of the atoms and ions.
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