Question

what is the difference between oxidation and reduction...??? xplain in detail with the help of examples...

Answer 1

Hi there !!

Oxidation is the gaining of oxygen and losing of Hydrogen
Reduction is the gaining of hydrogen and losing of oxygen

An oxidising agent oxidises other substances.
Oxidising agent gets reduced while oxidising other substances.

A reducing agents reduces other substances .
Reducing agents get oxidised while reducing other substances.


Let us take an example :-

Zn + CO ---> ZnO + C

Here ,

Zn gets oxidised ( addition of oxygen ) and becomes ZnO (Zinc oxide )

Also ,
Carbonmonoxide (CO) gets reduced ( loses oxygen) and becomes Carbon (C)

Here ,

Zn is the reducing agent as it reduces CO and becomes ZnO.
Also , CO is the oxidising agent as it oxidises zinc .


Summary :-

1) Oxidation ---> { Gaining of Oxygen OR Reduction of Hydrogen }
2) Reduction ---> { Gaining of Hydrogen OR Reduction of Oxygen }
3) Reducing agents gets oxidised in the reaction
4) Oxidising agents gets reduced in the reaction

Answer 2

Heya,

Consider an example,

MnO₂ + 4 HCl ------> MnCl₂ + Cl₂ + 2H₂O

Oxidation:- It is a process in which either oxygen is added to a substance or hydrogen is removed from the substance.

Reduction:- It is a process in which either hydrogen is added to a substance or oxygen is removed from a substance.

Oxidising agent:- A substance which gives oxygen or removes hydrogen for oxidation

Reducing agent:- A substance which gives hydrogen or removes oxygen for reduction.

Here from this chemical equation we can get the following information;

Substance oxidised:- Hcl because Hydrogen is being removed from it.

Substance reduced:- MnO₂ because Oxygen is being removed from it.

Oxidising agent:- MnO₂ because it gives out oxygen for oxidation.

Reducing agent:- Hcl because it gives out hydrogen for reduction.


Hope it helps u...