
Redox (Oxidation-Reduction) reactions involve the transfer of electrons. Oxidation is the loss of electrons (LEO), and Reduction is the gain of electrons (GER). These processes always occur simultaneously. Oxidation numbers are bookkeeping tools used to track this transfer. An increase in the oxidation number means oxidation occurred, while a decrease means reduction occurred. These reactions are fundamental to batteries, corrosion, and biological energy production.