What are REDOX reactions?
REDOX in Brief
Oxidation Number
REDOX in Daily Life
The word 'redox' is the acronym for reduction-oxidation that occurs in a certain chemical reaction. Put more simply, these reactions are those sets of chemical equations in which the oxidation number of the atoms involved in the chemical reaction changes when the reaction occurs. This definition introduces us to another fundamental concept in chemistry that is of crucial importance, the oxidation number.
Oxidation number is exactly similar to the valency of an atom but carries a sign with it. This sign expresses the nature of charge on the corresponding species when it is formed from a neutral atom.
Redox reactions, in fact, play a crucial role in biochemical reactions, industrial processes, and other chemical works. Transfer of cells and glucose oxidation in the body are also classic examples of these type of reactions. Reactions in chemical factories, electrochemical reactions, obtaining metals from their ores, and preparation of certain fertilizers are all examples of redox reactions.