Class 10 Chemistry Chemical Reactions and Equations

                                           Oxidation Reduction reaction

Oxidation- Reduction reaction

A reaction in which one reactant undergoes oxidation whereas the other gets reduced during the course of reaction are termed as oxidation-reduction reactions or redox reactions. Oxidation refers to the loss of electrons or increase in oxidation state by a molecule, atom, or ion. Reduction refers to the gain of electrons or decrease in oxidation state by a molecule, atom, or ion.

Consider the following redox reaction.

• Burning sugars, such as glucose (C6H12O6) and the fatty acids in the fats we eat.

C6H12O6(aq) + 6 O2(g) --> 6 CO2(g) + 6 H2O(l)

• Reaction of Manganese dioxide with hydrochloric acid involves redox reaction.

• Reaction of zinc oxide and carbon.

ZnO + C --> Zn + CO

In this reaction carbon is oxidised to CO and ZnO is reduced to Zn.