Oxidation and Reduction

Part of: Class 10 Science Notes - Chemical Reactions and Equations

1. Oxidation

Oxidation occurs if a chemical compound or element ($X$):

• Gains Oxygen
• Loses Hydrogen

Then the element or compound ($X$) is said to be oxidized.

Example:

$2\text{Cu}+{\text{O}}_2\stackrel{\Delta }{\to }2\text{CuO}$

• In this reaction, $\text{Cu}$ is said to be oxidized.

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2. Reduction

Reduction occurs if a chemical compound or element ($X$):

• Gains Hydrogen
• Loses Oxygen

Then the element or compound ($X$) is said to be reduced.

Example:

$\text{CuO}+{\text{H}}_2\stackrel{\Delta }{\to }\text{Cu}+{\text{H}}_2\text{O}$

• In this reaction, $\text{Cu}$ is said to be reduced.
• Note: If you look carefully, ${\text{H}}_2$ is oxidized here.

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3. Redox Reaction

Chemical reactions where Oxidation and Reduction occur together are known as Redox reactions.

$\text{CuO}+{\text{H}}_2\stackrel{\Delta }{\to }\text{Cu}+{\text{H}}_2\text{O}$

• In the above reaction, $\text{Cu}$ reduces and $\text{H}$ oxidizes.

Examples of Redox Reactions