Redoxreakciót

Redoxreakciót, or redox reaction, is a chemical reaction in which the oxidation states of atoms are changed. This change occurs through the transfer of electrons between chemical species. A redox reaction involves two simultaneous processes: oxidation and reduction. Oxidation is the loss of electrons by a species, resulting in an increase in its oxidation state. Reduction is the gain of electrons by a species, leading to a decrease in its oxidation state. These two processes always occur together; one cannot happen without the other.

The species that loses electrons is said to be oxidized, and it acts as a reducing agent, causing the reduction of another species. Conversely, the species that gains electrons is said to be reduced, and it acts as an oxidizing agent, causing the oxidation of another species. Redox reactions are fundamental to many natural and industrial processes. For example, combustion, respiration, photosynthesis, and electrochemistry all involve redox reactions.

In many redox reactions, a clear transfer of electrons can be observed. However, in others, especially those involving covalent compounds, the concept of oxidation states is used to track the electron distribution, which is considered to have shifted. Identifying redox reactions typically involves assigning oxidation states to all atoms in the reactants and products and observing changes in these states. A decrease in oxidation state indicates reduction, while an increase indicates oxidation.