Classical concept of oxidation and reduction

"Oxidation is a reaction in which oxygen is added or hydrogen is removed from a substance."

  • Addition of Oxygen
    Oxygen adds on to magnesium to become magnesium oxide.
    oxidation of magnesium


  • Removal of Hydrogen
    Hydrogen is removed from hydroiodic acid to liberate free iodine.

    removal of hydrogen


    "Reduction is a reaction in which oxygen is removed from a substance or hydrogen is added to a substance."
  • Removal of Oxygen
    Oxygen is removed from copper oxide to form copper metal.

    removal of oxygen

Addition of Hydrogen
Hydrogen adds to chlorine to form hydrogen chloride gas.

addition of hydrogen in the reaction



Nowadays, one can explain oxidation- reduction in terms of 'electrons transfer', which one will learn later on. Also, it is necessary to point out that oxidation and reduction reactions occur simultaneously. In brief, we call these reactions as "redox" reactions. Many reactions discussed earlier in this chapter can be broadly classified as redox and non-redox reactions.

Example of Redox Reaction

chemical equation showing redox reaction


Example of Non-redox Reaction



Reversible-Reactions">

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