why reduction and oxidation occurs

Dear student,

Oxidation involves an increase in oxidation number, while reduction involves a decrease in oxidation number. Usually the change in oxidation number is associated with a gain or loss of electrons, but there are some redox reactions (e.g., covalent bonding) that do not involve electron transfer. Depending on the chemical reaction, oxidation and reduction may involve any of the following for a given atom, ion, or molecule:

Oxidation - involves the loss of electrons or hydrogen OR gain of oxygen OR increase in oxidation state

Reduction - involves the gain of electrons or hydrogen OR loss of oxygen OR decrease in oxidation state

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Askiitians Expert

Sagar Singh

B.Tech, IIT Delhi

Because for oxidation to take place the electrons lost by the substance that is oxidized must be accepted by atoms or ions of another substance.
Also, for reduction to occur the electrons gained by the substance that is being reduced must be transferred from the atoms of ions of another substance.
Therefore, oxidation and reduction are complementary processes: that is to say that oxidation cannot occur without reduction and visa versus.