What is meant by oxidation reduction? Explain with examples.

Oxidation:

The reactions in which oxygen or a more electronegative elements are added to any substance.

Or

The reactions in which oxygen or a more electronegative elements are added to any substance.

Or

Process in which a chemical species losses electrons.

Reduction:

The reactions in which oxygen or more electronegative elements are removed from any substance.

Or

The reactions in which hydrogen or a more electropositive elements are added to any substance.

Or

Process in which a chemical species gains electrons.

The reactions in which both oxidation and reduction takes place simultaneously are known as oxidation reduction reactions.

Ex- Fe₂O₃ + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO₂

In the above reaction ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃) is reduced into iron (Fe) by losing the oxygen atoms attached to it and carbon monoxide (CO) is oxidized into carbon dioxide (CO₂) by gaining the oxygen atoms. Hence, it is an oxidation reduction reaction.