ReduktionOxidation

ReduktionOxidation, often shortened to Redox, refers to a type of chemical reaction in which the oxidation states of atoms are changed. This occurs through the transfer of electrons between chemical species. Redox reactions are fundamental to many natural processes and industrial applications.

In a redox reaction, one substance loses electrons, a process called oxidation, and another substance gains electrons, a process called reduction. Oxidation and reduction always occur simultaneously; one cannot happen without the other. The substance that loses electrons is oxidized, and the substance that gains electrons is reduced. The electron donor is called a reducing agent, and the electron acceptor is called an oxidizing agent.

Examples of redox reactions are abundant. The rusting of iron is a common example where iron is oxidized by oxygen, which acts as the oxidizing agent. Combustion, the burning of fuels, is another significant redox process, releasing energy. Photosynthesis in plants involves redox reactions to convert light energy into chemical energy. Electrochemical cells, such as batteries, generate electricity through controlled redox reactions.

Understanding redox reactions is crucial for fields like chemistry, biology, environmental science, and materials science. It helps explain energy transformations, the behavior of metals, and the processes occurring in living organisms. The concept is often illustrated using oxidation state numbers, which represent the hypothetical charge an atom would have if all bonds were ionic.