Question

What is meant by a specific type of redox reaction in which an element undergoes both oxidation and reduction in producing its products?

Answer 1

All redox reactions involve a simultaneous change in the oxidation numbers of atoms, with at least two elements changing their oxidation numbers. An atom is oxidized when its oxidation number increases, while an atom is reduced when its oxidation number decreases.

Step-by-step explanation:

All redox reactions occur with a simultaneous change in the oxidation numbers of some atoms. At least two elements must change their oxidation numbers. When an oxidation number of an atom is increased in the course of a redox reaction, that atom is being oxidized. When an oxidation number of an atom is decreased in the course of a redox reaction, that atom is being reduced. Oxidation and reduction can also be defined in terms of increasing or decreasing oxidation numbers, respectively.