Reduction Explained With The Help Of Examples

Oxidation and reduction is the core of chemistry. In most of the reactions, one element is oxidised and one is reduced. These reactions are called redox reactions. Let us see what exactly Oxidation and Reduction is.

Definition of oxidation and reduction

Oxidation and reduction could be explained easily concerning the oxygen atom. 

 Oxidation: the gaining of oxygen atoms is termed as oxidation.

Reduction:  losing of oxygen atom is termed as reduction 

Now, this definition of oxidation and reduction is much more easier to remember

However, oxidation and reduction could be explained for hydrogen atoms as well

Oxidation losing off hydrogen atom is termed as oxidation

Reduction gaining of a hydrogen atom is termed as Reduction

Now, this definition of oxidation and reduction is just the opposite of the one to oxygen. 

The most basic and widely applied definition of oxidation and reduction is with respect to electrons transfer.

Oxidation loss of electrons is termed as oxidation

Reduction gain of electrons is termed as reduction. 

Few more important definitions

 Reducing agent: Reducing agent is an element that takes oxygen for Oxford reduction or gives hydrogen to the other elements, or it receives electrons in the process of reduction. 

Oxidising agent:  Oxidising agent is an element that gives oxygen for oxidation or takes hydrogen from the other element, or it gains electrons in the process of oxidation.

 Oxidation number: It is also known as oxidation state. It is the maximum number of electrons an atom can gain or lose while forming a bond with another atom.

 Examples

Let us see some examples to learn the concept of oxidation and reduction better.

Fe2O3 + 3CO 🡪 2Fe+ 3CO2

Both oxidation and reduction take place simultaneously; this is known as a redox reaction. Here Fe from Fe2O3 Is converted To F e and see from CO Is converted to CO2. In this example, the iron(III) oxide Is an oxidising agent, whereas carbon monoxide oxide is the reducing agent.

 The iron(III) oxide Loses the oxygen atom and is reduced while the carbon monoxide gains extra oxygen atoms and hence oxidises.

 Let us see a different example.

Cu2+ + Mg 🡪 Mg2+ + Cu

Here Cu2+ is the oxidising agent and Mg Is the reducing agent. Now, Cu2+ Loses 2 electrons to become Cu and Mg gains 2 electrons to become Mg2+.

Clearly, mg is oxidised, and Cu is reduced in the above reaction. This is the example of a redox reaction explained with the help of electron transfer. 

Difference between oxidation and Reduction

 Conclusion

Oxidation is the loss of electrons and increment in oxidation number, whereas reduction is the gain of elections or fall in the oxidation number. This concept of oxidation and reduction is expected with the help of examples in the article above. Hope this article helped you.