What is a redox reaction?

A redox reaction, short for reduction-oxidation reaction, fundamentally involves the transfer of electrons between substances. In this process, one substance undergoes oxidation, which is the loss of electrons, while another substance undergoes reduction, which is the gain of electrons. This electron transfer is crucial because it accounts for changes in the oxidation states of the reactants involved in the reaction.

In redox reactions, the reactants interact in such a way that the energy released from the oxidation half-reaction can drive the reduction half-reaction. This interdependence is a key characteristic of redox reactions, making them vital in various chemical, biological, and industrial processes, such as cellular respiration, combustion, and corrosion.

Understanding redox reactions is essential in fields like chemistry and biochemistry, as it provides insight into how energy transformation occurs within chemical systems.