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What is a Reduction Reaction? Give an Example

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: September 25th, 2023

Reduction reaction is a half reaction where chemical species reduce the oxidation number by increase in the number of electrons. Reduction refers to decrease in oxidation state or gain or electrons or atoms present in it.

Reduction Reaction

  • A chemical species reduces its oxidation number by acquiring electrons in a half-reaction known as reduction.
  • Gaining electrons or lowering the oxidation state of an element or its constituent atoms are both examples of reduction.

Reduction –

  1. Losing oxygen is referred to as reduction.
  2. Reduction is the term used to describe a chemical reaction in which a molecule loses oxygen or gains one or more electrons.
  3. A reduced atom is one that has gained electrons.
  4. A reducing agent is an ion or molecule that provides an electron.

Example of Reduction:

  • This reaction converts H+ ions with an oxidation number of +1 to H2 ions with an oxidation number of zero, serving as an illustration of reduction.
  • This is one way to represent the chemical reaction:

Zn (s) + 2H+ (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + H2 (g)

  • One instance of a reduction reaction is the synthesis of iron from iron oxide.

Fe2O3 (s) + 3CO (g) → 2Fe (s) + 3CO2(g)

  • Iron oxide is converted to iron in the aforementioned chemical process.
  • Carbon monoxide is serving as a reducing agent in this process.

Summary:-

What is a Reduction Reaction? Give an Example

A reduction reaction is a partial reaction in which chemical species increase the amount of electrons while decreasing the number of oxidations. Reduced oxidation state, gain of electrons or atoms, or both are referred to as reduction.

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