What is redox reaction? Give one example.

A chemical reaction in which the oxidation number of a participating chemical species varies is called a redox reaction. In this type of chemical reaction oxidation and reduction takes place simultaneously. Oxidation is the loss of electrons and reduction is the gain of electrons.

Example:

The reaction between Zinc and Copper. This is a type of redox reaction in which Copper metal is obtained when Zinc reduces the Cu²⁺ ion in the Copper sulfate solution.

Zn (s) + CuSO₄ (aq) → ZnSO₄ (aq) + Cu (s)

Zinc Copper sulphate Zinc sulphate Copper

Here Zn gets oxidised and acts as a reducing agent and CuSO₄ gets reduced and acts as an oxidizing agent.