Oxidation vs Reduction — Difference (with Table)
Oxidation vs Reduction compared side by side — a 6-row comparison table and 4 key points. Class 11 Chemistry, free and no sign-up.
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TL;DR: Oxidation vs Reduction compared side by side — a 6-row comparison table and 4 key points. Class 11 Chemistry, free and no sign-up.
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The main difference between Oxidation and Reduction: Oxidation and reduction are complementary processes in redox reactions that involve electron transfer. Oxidation is the loss of electrons or increase in ox
Oxidation vs Reduction — Comparison Table
| Basis | Oxidation | Reduction |
|---|---|---|
| Electron Change | Loss of electrons | Gain of electrons |
| Oxidation State | Increases | Decreases |
| Oxygen Presence | Originally meant combining with oxygen | Originally meant removing oxygen |
| Product | Species becomes oxidized | Species becomes reduced |
| Agent | Oxidizing agent causes oxidation | Reducing agent causes reduction |
| Examples | Fe2+ to Fe3+ (loses electron) | Fe3+ to Fe2+ (gains electron) |
Key Points
- Oxidation and reduction always occur together in redox reactions
- Substance that is oxidized acts as reducing agent; substance that is reduced acts as oxidizing agent
- Oxidation involves electron loss making species more positive; reduction involves electron gain making species more negative
- Understanding redox is crucial for batteries, fuel cells, and many biochemical processes