Answered on : 2024-01-24
Oxidation in chemistry refers to a reaction where a substance combines with oxygen. Reduction, on the other hand, involves a chemical change in which a substance loses oxygen. These terms are often used to describe chemical reactions where electrons are transferred between atoms, ions, or compounds [1] [2] [3]. Oxidation and reduction can occur simultaneously in a reaction, forming what's known as a "redox" reaction [4]. Understanding these processes is fundamental in chemistry, as they play a crucial role in various chemical reactions, including those in biological systems [8]. To identify oxidation and reduction in reactions, one can also focus on electron transfer, as the exchange of electrons is a key characteristic of redox reactions [9].