Redox Reaction
A reaction in which electrons are transferred, so that one species is oxidised while another is reduced.
Formula / equation
Ox₁ + Red₂ → Red₁ + Ox₂
Unit
V
In depth
Oxidation and reduction always occur together and in exactly balanced amounts, since electrons cannot accumulate. Tracking oxidation numbers reveals the transfer even when no obvious ions are involved. Redox chemistry powers respiration, corrosion, combustion, batteries and metal extraction alike.
Examples in the real world
Fe + Cu²⁺ → Fe²⁺ + Cu; the burning of magnesium, in which oxygen is reduced and magnesium oxidised.