Redox Reaction or Oxidation-Reduction Reaction
Redox Reactions involve changes in the oxidation states of the atoms participating in the reaction. Oxidation refers to the increase in an atom’s oxidation number, while reduction involves a decrease in the oxidation number. When the oxidation states of elements change, it signifies a redox reaction. The atom undergoing oxidation is called the reducing agent, while the one undergoing reduction is termed the oxidizing agent. An example is the reaction between hydrogen gas and fluorine gas:
H2(g) + F2(g) → 2HF(g)
A real-life example of Redox Reaction is “Rusting of Iron”
Disproportionation Reaction
Disproportionation Reaction is a type of redox reaction in which there is simultaneous oxidation and reduction of atom of the same element. This means that the atom of a particular element undergoes change from its existing oxidation state to two different oxidation states. Example of Disproportionation Reaction is mentioned below:
Cl2 + H2O → HCl + HOCl
Here, the oxidation number of Cl in Cl2 is 0 on the reactant side and the oxidation number of Cl in HCl is -1 and HOCl is +1. Thus Cl get both oxidised from 0 to +1 and also get reduced from 0 to -1.
Chemical Reactions
Chemical Reaction is the disruption of existing bonds within reactant molecules and the creation of fresh bonds in product molecules, culminating in the formation of a new substance. These reactions are all around us, spanning from the biochemical processes in our bodies that extract energy from food to the source of sunlight, where chemical reactions are used to produce the light we receive.
In this article, we will understand the meaning and characteristics of Chemical Reactions. This article will cover the various types of Chemical Reactions: Combination or Synthesis Reaction, Decomposition Reaction, Single Displacement Reaction, and Double Displacement Reaction. We also discuss factors affecting the rate of Reaction and practice questions to understand this article.
Table of Content
- What is a Chemical Reaction?
- Characteristics of a Chemical Reaction
- How would we know when a Reaction has taken place?
- Chemical Equation
- Balancing a Chemical Equation
- Types of Chemical Reaction