Chemistry / Unit 11 Chem 2140 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Oxidation and Reduction Defined by Electron Transfer
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The idea
Oxidation is the loss of electrons and reduction is the gain of electrons, and the two always occur together in one reaction.
In practice
Zinc metal reacting with copper ions, Zn + Cu²⁺ → Zn²⁺ + Cu, loses electrons from zinc while copper ions gain them.
Where people slip
"Oxidation" without "reduction" happening somewhere in the same reaction describes an impossible half of a process.
Your place on the trail
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