Reduction Examples and Explanation

Reduction, in simple words, can be explained as a gain of electrons in an atom or the gain of hydrogen and the removal of oxygen. So, for instance, in any reaction, if the oxygen is replaced by hydrogen, then it can be defined as reduction. 

It is the moving of electrons between two different elements in a chemical; this transfer is aided by either gaining the electrons or decreasing the oxidation state of an element. This reduction reaction is always meant to increase electrons associated with a single atom or a group of atoms. 

Reduction examples in daily life and Explanation

In any chemical reaction, reduction and oxidation take place side by side; for example, in a reaction, the losing of electrons by one substance is called oxidation while another substance gains the lost electron, and this gaining of an electron is called reduction. Reduction and oxidation are jointly termed as redox reactions. 

A classic example of reduction is rusting: it is when oxygen reacts with iron to form rust. In this reaction, oxygen is reduced as it accepts electrons from the iron; the acceptance of electrons by oxygen is called reduction, while the iron losing electrons is called oxidation. 

The process of reduction is observed in many places: 

• When ores are reduced to obtain metals

• While production of electrochemical cells 

• During conversion of ammonia to nitric acid 

The process of reduction can be easily understood in acid bases reactions and few electrochemical reactions. Reduction is also an essential part of biochemical reactions and industrial processes. 

The reduction process happens for two main reasons-

• When carbon atoms gain bonds with less electronegative elements, the affinity of elements to electronegative elements may differ. 

• Electrons released join an atom or ion, in most cases removing oxygen or adding hydrogen. 

Reduction Examples

• H+ ions with the oxidation number of +1 are reduced to H2, with an oxidation number of 0 in a reaction. This means a hydrogen ion would be reduced by gaining one more hydrogen electron. 

 Zn(s) + 2H+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + H2(g)

• Another reaction is between magnesium and copper oxide that, in return, will give magnesium oxide and copper. 

CuO + Mg → Cu + MgO

Rusting of iron is a good example involving both oxidation and reduction. Here the oxygen will be going through the reduction process, and the iron will be oxidised. It is easy to know which elements are oxidised or reduced using the definition of ‘oxygen’. Rewrite the equation as an ionic equation; copper II oxide and magnesium oxide are ionic compounds while metals are not. 

Cu2+ + Mg → Cu + Mg2+

The copper ion undergoes the reduction method because it gains an electron to change into copper. At the same time, the magnesium goes through oxidation as it loses an electron to form a magnesium cation. Or we can observe that the magnesium acts as a reducing agent as it gives its two electrons to the copper vice versa; the copper II ions remove ions from magnesium to become copper; thus, the copper II becomes an oxidising agent. 

Two acronyms might help you in remembering the oxidation and reduction definition more easily without getting confused: 

• OIL RIG – “oxidation is loss and reduction is gain”, which means that the species that lose electrons are undergoing oxidation while the species that are gaining electrons are undergoing reduction. 

• LEO GER or “Leo, the lion, says grr” – Stands for ” loss of electrons = Oxidation while gaining of electrons = reduction.” 

Daily examples of reduction reactions or Redox reaction

There are a lot of examples where the gaining and losing of electrons happens in everyday life; it is just that we fail to observe to depict the normality of redox reactions or reduction reactions around us; here are a few daily life examples for that: 

• Respiration:

In respiration, carbon dioxide undergoes reduction while water oxidises. 

• Combustion: 

This is the classic form of redox reaction. The burning of organic matter and hydrocarbons is a form of redox reaction. During combustion, the oxygen is reduced while the compounds that are being combusted are oxidised. 

• Photosynthesis: 

In photosynthesis that occurs in the plant, the water is oxidised, and the carbon dioxide undergoes reduction. 

• Photography: 

Developing a photographic film also involves reduction. The silver ions inactivated silver bromide undergo reduction and form silver atoms through the reduction of chemicals like hydroquinone or a chemical called pyrogallol. 

• Decomposition:

This is the process of decay or decomposition, and any sort of decomposition takes place only if there are different energy levels. Redox reactions remove it. 

Conclusion

Reduction is when an electron is gained or oxygen is lost. It is a simple chemical process that is observed in day-to-day life. These reactions occur along with oxidation which aids the process of reduction to succeed by providing electrons for the process. This method is mainly used for the extraction of irons from the ores.