What is Oxidation and Reduction Half Reactions?

A reduction half and an oxidation half, which always occur together, make up redox reactions. While the oxidation half undergoes electron loss and an increase in oxidation number, the reduction half obtains electrons and the oxidation number decreases. 

Mnemonic used are OIL stands for “oxidation is loss” and RIG stands for “reduction is gain,” are simple ways to memorise this. The total number of electrons in a redox reaction remains unchanged. In the reduction half reaction, another species absorbs those that were released in the oxidation half reaction.

Oxidation and Reduction Reactions

Oxidation and Reduction reactions are simply called Redox reactions. There are chemical reactions in which the oxidation number of the chemical species involved in the reaction changes. Oxidation and reduction Reactions involve a wide variety of processes. For example, oxidation-reduction reactions are so common that they can be the breathing process, burning of wood, rusting, fruit ripening, photosynthesis, and many more. Generally, these redox reactions involve the transfer of oxygen or hydrogen atoms.

In this article, we will learn about, What is Oxidation, What is Reduction, Examples of Oxidation Reductions Reactions, Oxidation and Reduction Half Reactions, Oxidation Number, and many more in detail.

Table of Content

  • What is Oxidation?
  • What is Reduction?
  • Examples of Oxidation and Reduction Reactions
  • Oxidation and Reduction Half Reaction
  • Oxidation Number
  • Oxidation vs Reduction

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What is Oxidation?

Oxidation is defined as the gain of oxygen or the loss of electrons or hydrogen. When an atom or molecule loses one or more electrons, an oxidation reaction occurs....

What is Reduction?

Reduction is a process that involves the addition of hydrogen or any other electropositive element or the removal of oxygen or any other electronegative element, according to classical or older concepts....

Examples of Oxidation and Reduction Reactions

Various Examples of Oxidation and Reduction Reaction are,...

What is Oxidation and Reduction Half Reactions?

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Oxidation Number

Oxidation Number is the power that appears on an atom when all other atoms are removed as ions. Oxidation numbers can be negative or positive....

How to Balance Redox Reaction?

Chemical reaction are balanced according to “Law of Conservation of Mass”. Chemical Equations which involve oxidation and reduction are balanced using following methods...

Oxidation vs Reduction

Oxidation occurs when a reactant loses electrons during a reaction. Examples of oxidation reaction is, C + O2 → CO2 Reduction occurs when a reactant acquires electrons during a reaction. Examples of reduction reaction is, N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3...

Uses of Oxidation and Reduction Reactions

Oxidation and Reduction Reactions are generally called redox reaction. Redox reactions are also used in a wide range of industries, including those in the biological, industrial, pharmaceutical, metallurgical, and agricultural fields. Examples of redox reactions in industrial processes include electroplating, the extraction of metals like aluminum, the production of chemical substances like caustic soda, the bleaching of wood pulp, metal corrosion, battery operation, and many more....

Oxidation and Reduction Reactions FAQs

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