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

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What is a Chemical Reaction?

A Chemical Reaction is the transformation that takes place when a substance, or a combination of substances, comes into contact and yields new substances. The initial substances engaged in the Chemical Reaction are termed reactants or reagents, while the substances generated at the end of the reaction are referred to as products. An arrow is used to symbolize the direction of the Chemical Reaction, showing the conversion from reactants to products. For example, consider respiration, where we breathe in oxygen that reacts with glucose, resulting in the production of carbon dioxide, water, and the release of energy....

Characteristics of a Chemical Reaction

Chemical Reactions show one or more than one of the following characteristics....

What Happens During a Chemical Reaction?

During a Chemical Reaction, the fundamental units, which are the atoms of the participating molecules or elements, undergo rearrangement to create new molecules. This rearrangement involves the rupture of existing chemical bonds between atoms and this process absorbs energy, and the establishment of new chemical bonds, which results in the release of energy....

How would we know when a Reaction has taken place?

There are five key indicators to detect a Reaction:...

Chemical Equation

A Chemical Equation is a representation of Chemical Reactions. These equations are balanced to ensure that the same number of atoms of each element is present on both sides. It’s important to understand that in chemical reactions, no new matter is created, and atoms retain their identity....

Balancing a Chemical Equation

If we write the chemical reaction in the form of equation then originally it is unbalanced. Hence we need to balance the chemical reaction to make the number of atoms equal on reactant and product side. The balancing of chemical reaction is done in following steps....

Types of Chemical Reaction

The basis for different types of reactions is the product formed, the changes that occur, the reactants involved and so on. Different types of reactions are...

Decomposition Reaction

In a Decomposition Reaction, complex molecules or compounds disintegrate into simpler new substances. This type of reaction is characterized by the breakdown of a reactant into simpler products. An example is the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and hydrogen gas:...

Combination Reaction or Synthesis Reaction

A Combination Reaction or Synthesis Reaction unfolds when one or more compounds merge to form a more complex compound. Combination and decomposition reactions are opposites to each other. An example of Combination reaction or Synthesis Reaction is the combustion of hydrogen gas in the presence of oxygen to produce water:...

Combustion Reaction

Combustion Reactions are redox reactions where a fuel combines with an oxidizing agent, liberating heat energy. These reactions are exothermic, emitting energy as heat. An exemplary combustion reaction involves a hydrocarbon as the fuel and oxygen as the oxidizing agent, resulting in the formation of carbon dioxide and water:...

Single Displacement Reaction

This type of reaction exists when an element interacts with a compound. The element replaces one of the components in the compound, generating a new compound and an elemental product. An example is the reaction between iron and copper sulfate:...

Double Displacement Reaction

In a Double Displacement Reaction, two compounds react, and their ions are exchanged. This type of reaction is also known as a ‘Metathesis Reaction.’ Such reactions occur when ions with similar charges are swapped. For a double displacement reaction to occur, one of the products must be a precipitate or water....

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:...

Chemical Reaction on the Basis of Heat Evolved

On the basis of Heat Evolved, the chemical reactions are classified as follows:...

Chemical Reaction on the Basis of Order

The order of a chemical reaction is determined by the sum of the exponents on the concentrations of the reactants in the rate law expression. This order can take on various values, such as first order, second order, or even fractional order, depending on the concentrations of the reactants. The order of a reaction is an experimental quantity, meaning it is determined through experimental observations, and it can involve fractional values....

Difference Between Reversible and Irreversible Reactions

Chemical Reactions may be reversible or irreversible depending on the various situations and the equilibrium they achieve. The below table presents the comparison between Reversible and Irreversible Reaction....

Factors Affecting the Rate of Chemical Reaction

There are various factors affecting the rate of any chemical reaction, some of these factors are:...

Solved Examples on Chemical Reaction

Example 1: In the given statement “sodium metal reacts with water to produce sodium hydroxide and hydrogen,” identify the reactants and products....

Practice Questions on Chemical Reaction

Q1. Determine the type of reaction for the equation C3H6O3 + O2 → CO2 (g) + H2O (g)....

Chemical Reactions – FAQs

1. What is a Chemical Reaction?...