Redox

Redox reactions include all chemical processes in which atoms have their oxidation number (oxidation state) changed.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This can be a simple redox process, such as the combustion of carbon to yield carbon dioxide, it could be the reduction of carbon by hydrogen to yield methane, or it could be the oxidation of sugar in the human body, through a series of very complex electron transfer processes.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The term redox comes from the two concepts of reduction and oxidation.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:Reduction describes the uptake of an electron by a molecule, atom, or ion.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:Oxidation describes the loss of an electron by a molecule, atom, or ion.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

These two terms go together, because in a chemical reaction, one cannot occur without the other; electrons lost by one compound must be gained by another. Reduction can also be considered to be the reducing of an atom's positive charge, and oxidation its opposite (gaining positive charge).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Oxidation number: The oxidation state or oxidation number is defined as the sum of negative and positive charges in an atom, which indirectly indicates the number of electrons it has accepted or donated. The oxidation number is a convenient conceptual approximation when working with complex electrochemical reactions ...

Combustion: Combustion or burning is an exothermic reaction between a substance (the fuel) and a gas (the oxidizer), usually O2, to release heat. In a complete combustion reaction, a compound reacts with an oxidizing element, and the products are compounds of each element in the fuel with the oxidizing element....

Carbon: :Alternative meaning: Carbon (API)...