Redox Reactions
Redox reactions, short for reduction-oxidation reactions, are chemical processes where electrons are transferred between species, resulting in changes in oxidation states. They involve two half-reactions: oxidation (loss of electrons) and reduction (gain of electrons), which occur simultaneously. These reactions are fundamental in fields like electrochemistry, energy storage, and biological systems.
Developers should learn redox reactions when working in areas such as battery technology, corrosion engineering, or environmental science, as they underpin processes like energy conversion in fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries. Understanding redox principles is crucial for designing electrochemical sensors, optimizing industrial processes, or modeling biological pathways like cellular respiration.