Oxidation

A substance is associated with oxygen.

A substance is used with a Negative electrical element.

Hydrogen is isolated from a substance.

A positive electrical element is isolated from a substance.

That substance is called oxidation.

Some Examples of Oxidation

C + O2 → CO2

2HgCl2 + SnCl2 → Hg2Cl2 + SnCl4

In this reaction Tin(Sn) is a positive electrical element in SnCl2 and Cl is a Negative electrical element.

4HI + O2 → 2I2 + 2H2O

Reduction

A substance is associated with Hydrogen.

A substance is used with a positive electrical element.

Oxygen is isolated from a substance.

A Negative electrical element is isolated from a substance.

That substance is called Reduction.

Some examples of Reduction:

H2 + Cl2 → 2HCl

CuCl2 + Cu → Cu2Cl2

ZnO + C → CO + Zn

Redox Reactions

If there is the oxidation of a substance in a chemical reaction, then it is also necessary for the reduction of another substance. Similarly, if the reduction of a substance occurs in a chemical reaction, then oxidation of another substance also takes place. Therefore, in a chemical present, oxidation and reduction are carried together.

Example:

In given reaction HgCl2 takes reduction and SnCl2 takes Oxidation.

2HgCl2 + SnCl2 → Hg2Cl2 + SnCl4

Chemical reactions that contain oxidation and reduction are called oxidation-reduction and redox reactions.

Some Important Chemistry Topics