Question

What do you understand by redox reactions? Explain oxidation and reduction in terms of loss or gain of electrons.

Answer 1

Redox reactions are oxidation-reduction chemical reactions in which the oxidation states of the reactants change. The term 'redox' refers to the reduction-oxidation process. All redox reactions can be divided down into two types of reactions: reduction and oxidation.

Complete answer:
In a redox reaction, or Oxidation-Reduction process, the oxidation and reduction reactions always happen at the same time. The oxidising agent is the substance that is being reduced in a chemical process, while the reducing agent is the substance that is being oxidised.
Oxidizing agents are electron-accepting entities that tend to suffer a reduction in redox processes. A reducing agent is an electron-donating species that tends to hand over electrons. Oxidation is a common occurrence in several species. Any redox process can be decomposed into two half-reactions, namely the oxidation half-reaction and the reduction half-reaction.
The addition of oxygen or the more electronegative element to a compound or the removal of hydrogen or the more electropositive element from a substance is called an oxidation reaction, according to one definition.
The gain of electrons is defined as a reduction reaction. During a chemical process, any material that acquires an electron is reduced. The reduction reaction is defined as the addition of hydrogen or a more electropositive element to the substance, or the removal of a more electronegative element or oxygen.

Note:
Oxidising agent is a material (atom, ion, or molecule) that acquires electrons and is therefore reduced to a low valency state. A reducing agent is a chemical that loses electrons and hence oxidises to a higher valency state.