redox+oxidation

Redox reactions, or oxidation-reduction reactions, have a number of similarities to [|acid-base reactions]. Fundamentally, redox reactions are a family of reactions that are concerned with the transfer of electrons between species. > ** Na + Cl2 -> 2NaCl >> >> > The substance bringing about the oxidation of the sodium atoms is the chlorine, thus the chlorine is called an **oxidizing agent**. In other words, the oxidizing agent is being reduced (undergoing reduction). > The substance bringing about the reduction of the chlorine is the sodium, thus the sodium is called a **reducing agent**. Or in other words, the reducing agent is being oxidized (undergoing oxidation). > Oxidation is **ALWAYS** accompanied by reduction. Reactions in which oxidation and reduction are occurring are usually called **Redox reactions**.
 * Redox** ( [|portmanteau] for **//red//uction-//ox//idation**) reactions refer to all [|chemical reactions] in which atoms have their [|oxidation state] changed. This can be either a simple redox process, such as the oxidation of [|carbon] to yield [|carbon dioxide] ( CO2 ) or the reduction of carbon by [|hydrogen] to yield [|methane] (CH4), or a complex process such as the oxidation of [|glucose] ( C6H12O6 ) in the human body through a series of complex [|electron transfer] processes.
 * The Na starts out with an oxidation number of zero (0) and ends up having an oxidation number of 1+. It has been **oxidized** from a sodium atom to a positive sodium ion.
 * The Cl2 also starts out with an oxidation number of zero (0), but it ends up with an oxidation number of 1-. It, therefore, has been **reduced** from chlorine atoms to negative chloride ions.