What is oxidation and reduction?
Water can take part in oxidation and reduction reactions. Water can be a donor of electrons; this is called a reducing agent. The type of reaction where a compound takes up electrons is called an oxidation reaction. The acceptor of electrons is called the oxidant. Usually oxygen originates during such reactions. Water can also act as an acceptor of electrons, an oxidant. The type of reaction where a compound accepts electrons is called a reduction reaction. An example of a redox reaction of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn): Cu2+(aq) + Zn(s) -> Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s) When we spread this reaction into two parts we can see the oxidation and reduction of electrons (e-) separately: Zn(s) -> Zn2+ + 2e- (oxidation) Cu2+(aq) + 2e- -> Cu(s) (reduction) In this reaction zinc is a donor of electrons; zinc is the reducing agent. Copper is the oxidizing agent, because copper is the acceptor of electrons.
