What is a redox reaction?

A redox reaction is a type of chemical reaction that involves a transfer of electrons between two species. The term "redox" comes from two concepts: reduction and oxidation.

Step 1: Understanding Oxidation Oxidation is a process where a substance loses electrons. This can happen when a substance combines with oxygen, but it can also involve other elements. For example, when iron rusts, it reacts with oxygen in the air and loses electrons, undergoing oxidation.

Step 2: Understanding Reduction Reduction is the opposite of oxidation. It's a process where a substance gains electrons. This can happen when oxygen is removed from a substance or when hydrogen is added to it.

Step 3: Combining the Concepts In a redox reaction, one substance gets oxid