oksüdoreduktsiooni

Oksüdoreduktsioon, commonly referred to as redox, is a fundamental type of chemical reaction involving the transfer of electrons between chemical species. These reactions are characterized by a simultaneous process where one species loses electrons, undergoing oxidation, and another species gains electrons, undergoing reduction. The term "redox" is a portmanteau of reduction and oxidation.

Oxidation is defined as an increase in oxidation state, which typically means losing electrons. Conversely, reduction is defined as a decrease in oxidation state, meaning gaining electrons. The substance that loses electrons and gets oxidized is called the reducing agent, as it causes another substance to be reduced. The substance that gains electrons and gets reduced is called the oxidizing agent, as it causes another substance to be oxidized.

Redox reactions are ubiquitous in nature and technology. They are central to biological processes such as cellular respiration, where glucose is oxidized and oxygen is reduced to produce energy, and photosynthesis, where carbon dioxide is reduced and water is oxidized. In industry, redox reactions are employed in electrochemistry, such as in batteries and electrolysis, as well as in metallurgy for the extraction of metals from their ores and in combustion processes. Understanding redox reactions is crucial for comprehending a wide range of chemical phenomena and their applications.